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Wiltshire

Jon Hubbard welcomes extra drop-in sessions for proposed Melksham bypass

With just a few weeks left for people to have their say during the second engagement exercise on the proposed A350 Melksham bypass, Wiltshire Council is holding two drop-in information sessions at Melksham Library.

The sessions are an opportunity for people to meet members of the project team, ask questions and find out more about the proposals.

The council is holding one session on Friday 30 July from 9.30am-1pm and another on Friday 6 August from 9.30am-1pm. People can find out more about the scheme before taking the online survey to share their views at this stage of the project.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, the Town and Wiltshire Councillor Melksham South, commented: “I’m delighted that these additional sesions are being run and I welcome that, with the appropriate safety measures in place, it will be possible for people to meet with officers face to face.

“The are some people who are understandably concerned about the proposed bypass and it is important that everyone has every opportunity to give their input into the consultation process.”

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We want as many people as possible to have their say on the proposed A350 Melksham bypass, and now that restrictions have eased, we’re holding these two drop in sessions at the town’s library for people to find out more.

“Of course, while we’re keen to allow people the opportunity to see these proposals face to face, the safety of our staff and residents is our main priority, so we’d ask that people wear face coverings when they visit the library and also keep their distance from staff and other library users.

“We look forward to seeing people from Melksham and the surrounding areas at these drop-in events – and would ask that people also complete the online survey, which closes on Sunday 8 August, to let us know what they think.

“The proposed A350 Melksham bypass will help to improve connectivity on this important north-south route through Wiltshire, and it will reduce journey times, ease congestion and improve air quality in the town.”

People do not need to book for these sessions; they can just turn up to see maps and plans of the scheme, and to ask the project team questions about the proposals.

The sessions at the library are part of a range of activities held during this engagement exercise, including a presentation to the local Area Board, online webinars, plus a fly-through video, which people can watch on the project webpage.

To find out more about the Melksham bypass project, people should go to: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-a350-melksham-bypass

By Jon Hubbard

Cllr Jon Hubbard is the Wiltshire and Town councillor for Melksham South. First elected in 2009 he now sits as an independent. Jon is very active in the local community and actively works across the town and wider community. He helped create and continues to Chair both Young Melksham, who provide youth services in the town, and Age Friendly Melksham, who work to try and prevent social isolation for people of all ages. On Wiltshire Council Jon currently chairs the Children's Select Committee and is also Chair of the Adoption West Scrutiny Panel.