Chairman’s Report February 2023

I am pleased to report that a design for the refurbishment of the Walnut Road Play Area has been approved by the council and work will start there shortly.  Also, the plans for the improvements to the footpath from Clements Lane to Angel Lane are coming along well.  Both these projects will be fundedfrom the contributions from the C J Fry’s development of the old Hill Brush Factory site at Woodlands Road.

I regret that it has been necessary for me to order the closing of the public toilets in the Salisbury Street car park, from dusk ‘til dawn, for a trial period of one month.  The abuse and vandalism of the toilets has been building up over the past weeks and rectifying the damage is taking up a lot of our groundsmen’s time.  Not to mention the costs involved.  The town council is keen to keep this free amenity going and we are currently considering plans and tenders for their refurbishment.  However, encouraging signs of respect for the toilets is needed.  We don’t want to have to consider charging for their use.

A report on traffic issues made by a working group of councillors, was on the agenda at the February meeting.  The group originally had a list of over a dozen suggestions for changes but in order to have credibility with Wiltshire Council it was necessary to give priority to the more pressing issues.  These included, the repainting of all lines (double yellow lines and parking area as well as junction give way lines) & the re-instatement of the white line down the centre of Castle Street from The Malthouse to The Square.  The on-street parking in Hazzards Hill and around the junctions of Water Street was the subject of much discussion and concerns were expressed, by members of the public attending the meeting, that the introduction of double-yellow lines right the way along the road would result in an increase in traffic speeds.  It was agreed to ask a Highways Technician from Wiltshire Council to assess this and make a recommendation to the Council and also to assess and make recommendations for the problems associated with vehicles loading in Boar Street and the conflicts this sometimes causes for the Pettridge Lane priority system.  Hopefully, Wiltshire Council will send a Highways Technician out to assess the problems and make some recommendations for the Town Council to consider further.  Let’s wait and see.  The repainting of the old and faded lines is the responsibility of the Highways Authority and should bear no cost to the Town Council but the other work will require a contribution of 25% of the total cost by the Town Council.

The Annual Town meeting will be held at 7.00 pm on April 26th at the United Reformed Church.  This is very much a meeting for the public to attend and to participate in.  The Town Council would like to hear your suggestions for agenda items for this meeting so please contact the office (01747 860701) if you have an item you would like discussed.