Melksham East Relief Road Anticipated to Open by End of November

A council has announced that a long-anticipated relief road is expected to open by the close of November. The Melksham East Relief Road (MERR), which extends Eastern Way and is designed to connect two areas of the Wiltshire town, was initially slated for completion in 2022. Councillor Phil Alford, the cabinet member for housing, has since confirmed on social media that the route will be operational before Christmas. He indicated that “essential safety checks” are presently being conducted. A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council additionally stated that they anticipate all “final issues” will be resolved “before the end of November.” Local residents had previously expressed safety concerns regarding the hazards posed to schoolchildren by the frequent movement of heavy goods vehicles on nearby roads, along with the resulting noise pollution. Resident Gary Fossey remarked: “Residents living along and just off Snowberry Lane have been campaigning for the opening of MERR for nearly two years.” Councillor Nick Holder confirmed that the traffic regulation orders (TROs) for MERR have been approved and are now undergoing the ‘sealing’ process, which is the final stage of the legal procedure. He further detailed that “The roundabout works, two signal-controlled toucan pedestrian crossings and street lighting are nearing completion and will be subject to inspections by council officers and a road safety audit.” Councillor Holder concluded, “We are working hard to resolve these final issues before the road can re-open, and we are on track for this to be completed before the end of November.”