PCC: We must take action on HGVs using Wiltshire's A338
He says it won't be a quick fix though
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner says now is the time to take action to try and reduce the number of HGV's travelling through Wiltshire villages on the A338.
Philp Wilkinson met up with councillors, residents, Police Assistant Chief Constable David Minty and Devizes MP Danny Kruger to discuss the issues around how dangerous the road is.
Just last month, a Home Bargains lorry narrowly missed a cottage and ended up in a ditch in Collingbourne Ducis.
Meanwhile, last July a 7 year old girl was killed in the same village when her bike collided with a lorry.
The group talked about practical measures to make the road safer and reduce the number of HGVs using the route.
Philip Wilkinson said:
“I very much share the concerns raised by the more than 200 people who attended this public meeting, in addition to their longer-term ambitions to make the route safer.
“There isn’t a quick fix to this, but there are some immediate steps that can be taken to increase enforcement and improve road safety and I’m already discussing the viability of restricting the licences of haulage firms to increase their accountability and improve their consideration for nearby residents.
“The very valid concerns raised during this meeting will not be ignored and we must now take tangible action before this situation escalates further.”
In August 2021, Danny Kruger called for a major rethink about using the A338 as a "trunk road".
He's pledged another meeting with residents to view the pinch points causing the most concern over the next few weeks.
Danny Kruger said:
“We can and must do more to stop HGVs using this route. It was not designed for this type of vehicle and, in my view, should be de-designated as a primary route.
“This is, however, not something that we can achieve overnight, and may require legislative changes to make possible. There are, thankfully, some things that we can focus on in the short to medium term - including various traffic calming measures and limits on HGVs - and I will work with Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police in the coming months to explore what is possible and I aim to update residents in the Autumn.”
Some of the proposals discussed during the meeting include:
• The suitability of the route for HGV vehicles, and how they could be discouraged from using the A338. Including possible weight limits, charging a toll for using the A338 and restricing the licenses of those HGV firms who consistently break the speed limit.
• Speed limits, and whether the variable ones currently in place should be changed so they’re more consistent. This could include the introduction of average speed cameras.
• What traffic calming measures could be installed, double white lines to prevent overtaking and whether the current signage is fit for purpose.
• Increased enforcement, ensuring a visible policing presence and targeting of drivers who break the law.
Wiltshire Police, ACC David Minty said:
“Since this meeting, I have tasked both our roads policing unit, and the local community policing team to increase patrols on, and alongside the A338 with the view of directly targeting those drivers who break the law.
“Working with the PCC’s office, we are already scoping the possibility of average speed cameras on the route, but enforcement only solves part of the problem and we will take steps with the PCC, Wiltshire Council, Danny Kruger MP and local councillors to prevent these incidents of poor and sometimes dangerous driving from happening in the first place.”