Chitterne Parish Council

We very much hope that as many of you as possible will join us in the Village Hall at 6pm on 4th September to show how important this issue is to the the community.

The Parish Council has gathered further evidence about traffic through Chitterne, including a village survey, residents' meetings and data from the Speed Indicator Device (SID). The message is clear: Speed and traffic volume are the principal concerns, together with pedestrian safety and heavy vehicles. The SID recorded around 65,000 vehicle movements a month in June and July, with nearly one vehicle in five travelling at 35 mph or above.  As we all know the problem is made worse when traffic is displaced from the A303 by closures, incidents or congestion around Stonehenge.

On 4th September, we are bringing together the organisations with responsibilities for, or an interest in, these issues. These include Dr Andrew Murrison MP, Inspector Louise Oakley Wiltshire Police, Perry Payne Wiltshire Road Safety Manager, Christopher Newbury Local Councillor, Chris Hildrup National Highways Route Manager Wiltshire, David Bullock (plus relevant highways officers) Wiltshire Council.  We want to examine practical measures including:

• a 20 mph limit throughout the village;
• appropriate traffic calming and better pedestrian provision;
• improved signage;
• more effective, data-led enforcement; and
• average-speed cameras.

We are not expecting one measure to solve the problem. The aim is to identify what can realistically be done, who is responsible for taking it forward and how progress will be followed up.  Our objective is simple: to manage the speed, volume and type of traffic using the roads through the village, including the C22, in a way that properly recognises the impact on the safety, quality of life and character of our rural community.

If you wish to add anything or comment on our proposal, another informal meeting will be held at the King's Head at 6pm this Friday - 28th August.