Grovelands Way in Warminster gets Green Light for Traffic Calming

Wiltshire Council has published a decision approving the implementation of traffic calming speed cushions on Grovelands Way in Warminster.

The decision has been reached because the introduction of vehicle access from the Persimmon Homes development via Virginia Drive onto Grovelands Way is likely to lead to an increase in traffic in this area. As part of the planning consent for the Victoria Fields property development, Persimmon Homes had been required to provide traffic calming. When details of the proposed scheme went for consultation, there were some objections from local residents and also Frome Minibuses. Wiltshire Council decided to reconsult before abandoning the project definitively, at which point Warminster Town Council stepped in, along with some residents, in favour of the plan.

The objectors had claimed that there was in fact no speeding problem on the road, and so no calming was necessary. Frome Minibuses, who use the route, were concerned that the cushions may cause damage to their vehicles.

After extensive campaigning, Mayor Pip Ridout expressed delight at the outcome: "Thank goodness someone has seen sense and taken action to make the developer abide by the conditions imposed at the

time of approval of the site. This road is already a rat run for cars trying to avoid most of West Street and is in an area from where children have to walk to school or cross over into their park. I welcome it wholeheartedly, as do the residents."

Wiltshire Council also took into account that in January this year a resident was killed on Grovelands Way after being knocked down by a car driver.

Do you live in the Grovelands Way area of Warminster? What do you think of the proposed traffic calming measures?