Residents are being given a chance to look at the options for reducing traffic volume in Bradford on Avon.

The town council has organised two community traffic engagement sessions at St Margaret’s Hall on Wednesday (March 20) and Saturday (March 23).

The town’s traffic campaigners, including Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon and Living Streets Bradford on Avon, have given the modelling study results a ‘cautious’ welcome and will be keen to hear residents’ views.

The first drop-in session will be held from 4pm to 8pm on Wednesday and the second from 10am to 2pm on Saturday.

The sessions follow the publication of The Traffic Study report by traffic consultants AtkinsRéalis UK acting on behalf of the town council and Wiltshire Council.

The study – which cost the councils £50,000 - explains the results of the modelling designed to find a suitable new traffic model for Bradford on Avon.

The report by AtkinsRéalis UK outlined three options:

  • Option A - creating a one-way system in Market Street & Silver Street.
  • Option B - installing road narrowing 'pinch points', two in Market Street and one in Silver Street.
  • Option C - making Silver Street one-way combined with priority narrowing in Market Street.

AtkinsRealis UK has recommended Option C, a short one-way system in Silver Street and ‘priority narrowing’ in Market Street.

They say this would enable a significant change in the character of the town through limited footway widening on Market Street and significant footway widening on Silver Street without having a major impact on traffic flows.

Their preferred option followed the six-month traffic modelling scheme that took place last year, to which the town council contributed £33,350 (66 per cent) funding.

Wiltshire Times: Drivers caught in Bradford on Avon congestion and traffic queues are being urged off their engines to reduce exhaust pollution. Image: Trevor Porter 70099-2Drivers caught in Bradford on Avon congestion and traffic queues are being urged off their engines to reduce exhaust pollution. Image: Trevor Porter 70099-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The aim is to reduce traffic volume, improve air quality by reducing exhaust pollution, and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Visitors to the engagement sessions will be able to put their questions to traffic engineers and complete a feedback form to make comments on the report and the option recommended by the modelling study.

Councillors have requested guarantees that the final decision on the plan will rest with the town council and reassurance that Wiltshire Council would progress the project at the earliest opportunity.

If you’re not able to make either of these events; the information, FAQs and the survey is available on the town council’s website website.

Printed copies of the feedback form can be obtained from the town council office during office hours.