RESIDENTS of Winsley were told nine months ago that a new Active Travel Route on the B3108 would require a six-week road closure to install, Wiltshire Council says.

It has denied that 2,500-plus residents in the parish were not given sufficient warning that the work would take place this summer.

The council says that, although specific details of the work schedule were not available at that time, on August 18 last year they issued a press release that stated a six-week road closure would be needed.

Dozens of residents have recently objected to the proposed road closure, which is due to take place from July 25 to September 2 during the school summer holiday.

So far, the council has received 86 emails to-date, including objections, comments and support. “This number includes each email sent to us by people who have sent multiple emails,” a spokeswoman said.

The council says it is taking people's concerns into account, adding: “It is worth noting many people are in favour of the scheme.

“This scheme is about making the journey to and from school safer for children and the new shared use path will help to do this.

“As soon as we scoped the works, we have been open about the road closure. On 18 August 2021, we issued a press release that stated exactly that we'd be closing the road in summer 2022.

“The quote said: ‘This work will involve closing the road for six weeks, so we're timing it for the school summer holidays as this will reduce the impact on local businesses and residents’."

The new Active Travel Route will introduce a bollard-free shared use path for both pedestrians and cyclists on the northern side of Bradford Road, Winsley and Winsley Road, Bradford on Avon.

This is in contrast to the previous arrangements used for the Covid pandemic social distancing scheme, where cyclists and motorists were separated by bollards.

This will provide an improved two-way cycle and pedestrian route between Winsley and Downs View, to link with the Bradford on Avon Cycle Network.

Cyclists using the B3108 Winsley bypass will also be able to access the shared use path should they wish to do so.

The scheme will also see improvements to the refuge island to the north of the roundabout to provide a safe and convenient crossing location for both cyclists and pedestrians.

The road is also being closed for carriageway resurfacing between the Winsley roundabout and Downs View.