Marlborough’s ‘Volatile’ Traffic Prompts Calls for Strategic Intervention

A recent study has concluded that a rural town experiences “volatile” traffic conditions, necessitating interventions that extend beyond minor modifications to its road infrastructure. In Marlborough, residents report that the traffic is so severe that they perceive their homes “shake” as lorries pass, with one individual informing the BBC of her desire to relocate if feasible. The town, a popular tourist destination, is situated at the convergence of two heavily trafficked A roads. Councillor Kym-Marie Cleasby, the mayor, advocates for the “de-priming” of one of these, the A346, anticipating that this measure would reduce commercial vehicle flow. Wiltshire Council has stated its intention to “seek to engage” with National Highways, which is presently conducting a traffic study encompassing the area between the M4 and the Dorset coast. Ms Cleasby, who resides near the town centre and manages a school meal delivery service, frequently encounters traffic issues as part of her daily work. “The traffic is appalling,” she remarked. She added, “The town gets gridlocked. The number of times we have to call the schools and say we’re going to be late again.” However, she noted that the study examining the town’s traffic conditions “backed up” the concerns residents had been expressing for “quite a long time.” The study stated that it had “demonstrated that the volatile traffic situation in Marlborough town centre is difficult to resolve through local improvements to the highway network within the town. “It is therefore recommended that for long term improvement, interventions are required from a more strategic network management perspective.” More substantial interventions, according to Ms Cleasby, would involve “de-priming” the A346, which she identified as the “quickest win.” Beyond the travel difficulties, Ms Cleasby articulated worries regarding children walking to school on the narrow pavements adjacent to A-roads. “It’s quite scary when you’re walking down there,” she commented. She further stated, “These roads were not built for lorries of that size and weight, particularly on Herd Street and literally make the houses shake.” Jackie, a resident who rents a property adjacent to a main road in the town, expressed a desire to reside elsewhere. “I don’t have much choice at the moment, but if I could move tomorrow, I would,” she affirmed. She described the traffic as “full-on, non-stop, the noise, the pollution,” noting that she has experienced it for five years and observed its deterioration during that period. Jackie highlighted that lorries are especially problematic, disturbing residents’ sleep in the middle of the night. Melanie, who resides in a village near the town, conceded that she occasionally travels to other locations due to the traffic congestion. “It is terrible,” she stated, further explaining that visiting other towns was simpler. “I nip to other places – I’ll either go to Andover or Hungerford. Marlborough is bit tricky,” she elaborated. The traffic situation is reportedly so severe that residents exchange warnings on the village WhatsApp group. Marlborough Town Council requested the study, which subsequently examined how various traffic models would respond to alterations in the road network. Councillor Tamara Reay, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, clarified that none of the tested models proved sufficiently effective. “The study demonstrated that the traffic situation in Marlborough would be difficult to resolve through local improvements on the highway network. “We will seek to engage with National Highways for a more strategic intervention, which would also provide benefits for villages on the A346/A338 affected by through traffic, through the M4 to Dorset Coast study,” she concluded. For updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.