For years, Melksham Oak Community School has faced significant challenges during school drop-off and pick-up times. The simple T-junction connecting the school estate to the busy A365 Bath Road is wholly inadequate for managing the sheer volume of traffic the school generates. Parents, students, staff, and local residents are all too familiar with the frustration and delays caused by congestion at this junction. While the introduction of a 20mph speed limit—advocated by local councillor Nick Holder—is a step in the right direction, it is a temporary fix at best, akin to applying a sticking plaster to a gaping wound.
Having served as a governor at Melksham Oak, I was regularly lobbied by parents, staff, and members of the community to find a solution to this problem. It was a recurring issue at meetings and in discussions, with concerns raised not only about the delays and frustration but also about the safety risks posed by the current junction layout. It’s time to address the root cause of the problem and implement a sustainable solution that ensures the safety and convenience of everyone using this route. That solution is a roundabout—a tried and tested method for improving traffic flow around high-traffic areas such as schools.
Understanding the Issue: Why the T-Junction Fails
The T-junction at the entrance to Melksham Oak Community School simply cannot cope with the volume of traffic during peak hours. With hundreds of cars entering and exiting the school grounds, the junction becomes a bottleneck, creating long queues and dangerous situations as vehicles attempt to merge onto the busy A365.
This is an issue that was repeatedly brought to my attention during my time as a school governor. Staff, parents, and even students highlighted how stressful and chaotic the school run could be, with delays spilling over into the wider community and creating unnecessary risks for young people walking or cycling to school.
The problem is exacerbated by the high speed of traffic on the A365, making it difficult for vehicles to safely join the flow. Parents in a rush to drop off their children often find themselves waiting for extended periods, creating stress and delays that ripple out into the wider community.
This issue is not unique to Melksham. Across the country, secondary schools located near major roads frequently experience similar challenges, particularly when their infrastructure has not been updated to accommodate increased traffic. However, many of these schools have found relief through infrastructure improvements, including the installation of roundabouts.
Why a Roundabout is the Right Solution
A roundabout at the school entrance offers several key advantages:
- Improved Traffic Flow: Roundabouts are designed to manage higher volumes of traffic more efficiently than T-junctions. By eliminating the need for stop-and-go decision-making, vehicles can merge seamlessly, reducing congestion and wait times.
- Enhanced Safety: Research shows that roundabouts significantly reduce the likelihood of severe accidents compared to T-junctions. Slower, more controlled traffic movements create a safer environment for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- Future-Proofing: With the ongoing expansion of Melksham through new housing developments, traffic volumes on the A365 will only increase. A roundabout can handle this growth more effectively than the current T-junction.
- Compliance with Planning Policies: Improving infrastructure to support sustainable development aligns with the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan, the Wiltshire Local Plan, and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These frameworks emphasize the need for safe and sustainable transport solutions in response to new development.
Learning from Other Schools
Other secondary schools across the UK have faced similar challenges and resolved them through infrastructure upgrades. For example:
- St. John’s School in Marlborough, Wiltshire: Faced with severe congestion issues at its entrance, the school worked with the local council to replace a problematic junction with a mini-roundabout. The change dramatically improved traffic flow and reduced delays.
- The Abbey School in Faversham, Kent: This school also experienced heavy congestion at its entrance, located on a busy main road. The installation of a roundabout not only improved traffic conditions but also reduced accident rates, making the area safer for students and parents.
- Torquay Academy, Devon: Similar to Melksham Oak, this school struggled with a T-junction unable to cope with peak-time traffic. The local authority installed a roundabout funded through Section 106 agreements tied to nearby housing developments, effectively solving the issue.
Leveraging Section 106 Contributions
The opportunity to fund this improvement already exists. Section 106 agreements, which are contributions made by developers as part of planning permission for new housing projects, are specifically intended to mitigate the impact of development on local infrastructure.
Melksham has seen a significant increase in housing developments in recent years, placing additional strain on local roads and services. These contributions should be used to address the real and pressing issues caused by this growth.
A roundabout at the entrance to Melksham Oak Community School is a prime example of a project that aligns perfectly with the intent of Section 106 funding. It would:
- Mitigate the impact of increased traffic caused by new housing developments.
- Enhance the safety and accessibility of a vital local amenity.
- Support the goals of sustainable development outlined in the Wiltshire Local Plan and the NPPF.
Aligning with Local and National Planning Policies
The Melksham Neighbourhood Plan emphasizes the importance of creating safe and sustainable transport links for the community. Similarly, the Wiltshire Local Plan calls for infrastructure improvements to accommodate new development and ensure the safety and well-being of residents. The NPPF reinforces these priorities, highlighting the need for transport solutions that support sustainable growth and reduce reliance on cars.
Installing a roundabout at the school entrance directly supports these objectives. It would create a safer, more efficient road system that benefits not only the school community but also the wider Melksham area.
The Call to Action: Let’s Solve This Problem Together
It is clear that the current T-junction is no longer fit for purpose. While the proposed 20mph speed limit on the A365 is a step in the right direction, it does not address the underlying issue. A roundabout offers a long-term, sustainable solution that improves traffic flow, enhances safety, and supports the growth of our community.
As we continue to see new housing developments in Melksham, we must ensure that the associated infrastructure contributions are used wisely. Let’s seize this opportunity to solve a real problem that affects hundreds of families every day.
During my time as a governor, I heard countless appeals from the school community to address this issue. Now, as a community, we have a chance to make real progress. By working collaboratively and leveraging the resources available through Section 106 funding, we can create a safer, more efficient road system that serves our community now and into the future.
Melksham deserves better—and with the right infrastructure, we can make it happen.
