As a Councillor, my foremost responsibility is to stand up for the residents of Melksham and ensure that their voices are heard, especially when those in positions of authority make decisions that impact our community. It is with deep frustration and a heavy heart that I find myself writing this blog post today, addressing the ongoing and utterly unacceptable delays in the opening of the new distributor road connecting Eastern Way to the now all-but completed roundabout by Melksham Spa.
For three long years, the people of Melksham have patiently waited for the completion of this crucial piece of infrastructure. We were promised that this road would ease traffic congestion, improve safety, and provide a much-needed link between key areas of our town. Instead, we have been met with delay after delay, each one more disheartening than the last.
Originally, Wiltshire Council attributed the delays to work being carried out by BT, suggesting that the matter was out of their hands. This explanation, while frustrating, was at least understandable. However, recent developments have made it clear that this was not the full story, and the truth is far more concerning.
With the roundabout now complete, one would expect the road to be opened promptly, allowing residents to finally benefit from the improved infrastructure. Instead, Wiltshire Council has agreed to allow the construction company to use the road as a compound for the foreseeable future, effectively keeping it closed until "after Christmas." This decision represents a shameful reversal of the assurances previously given to our community. Residents were explicitly told that once BT had finished their work, the road would be opened. This was not just a hopeful suggestion; it was a promise. Now, that promise has been broken, and the people of Melksham deserve answers.
The implications of this decision go far beyond inconvenience. The safety of our residents, particularly the hundreds of young people who walk to school each day, is at stake. The route that these children take passes directly by this construction compound and over the still incomplete road. The presence of heavy machinery, construction vehicles, and an unfinished roadway creates a hazardous environment that no parent should have to worry about when sending their child to school. It is deeply concerning that Wiltshire Council would allow this situation to persist, seemingly without regard for the safety of our community’s most vulnerable members.
This latest delay is not just a matter of a few more months of waiting. It is a betrayal of the trust that the people of Melksham have placed in their local government. For three years, residents have been patient, understanding that large infrastructure projects take time and are sometimes subject to unforeseen delays. But patience has its limits, and we have now reached that limit.
The residents of Melksham have been left in the dark for too long. They deserve to know the truth about what is happening with this road, and they deserve to have a clear, honest timeline for when it will finally be opened. Wiltshire Council’s decision to use the road as a construction compound, with no clear end date in sight, suggests a lack of transparency and a disregard for the concerns of the local community. This is simply unacceptable.
It is time for Wiltshire Council to come clean about their true plans. If the road is not going to be opened until after Christmas, then they must explain why. What exactly is preventing the road from being opened now that the roundabout is complete? Why was this decision made, and who made it? Most importantly, what is the council doing to mitigate the risks to road safety in the meantime?
These are the questions that need to be answered, and they need to be answered now. The residents of Melksham cannot be expected to wait any longer for clarity and action. The council must take responsibility for the situation and provide a concrete plan for moving forward.
I am calling on Wiltshire Council to do the right thing. Open the road as soon as possible, or at the very least, provide a clear and honest explanation for the delay. The people of Melksham have waited long enough, and they deserve to have their concerns addressed with the urgency and seriousness they warrant.
In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for the safety and well-being of our community. I will not stand by while our residents are left in the dark and our children’s safety is put at risk. I urge all residents to make their voices heard on this issue, to demand the truth from Wiltshire Council, and to insist that our town receives the respect and attention it deserves.
Melksham is a community that looks out for one another, that stands together in the face of adversity. This situation is no different. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that the promises made to us are fulfilled. The road may be closed, but our determination to see it opened is stronger than ever.
Thank you for your continued support and for standing with me in this fight. We will not rest until this road is opened, and our community’s safety and trust are restored.
