A303 Community Engagement News

20 March 2024

A360 Closure – More up-to-date information

Having met with key contractors/partners, I can now give a better update:

1. A direct communication link has now been established between Berwick and key players to enable us to receive quick responses to issues raised.
2. 2nd April is still the scheduled date for the start of the road works. These road works by Southern & Scottish Electricity Network relate to the installation of power cables for the A303 mains work.
3. To deter HGVs from using the B3083, I have requested far more visible 7.5T weight restriction signage at both entry points (A303 and A36). I await confirmation.
4. There will be traffic monitoring before the closure and at frequent intervals thereafter to identify issues and make any necessary changes to traffic management. The B3083 is included in this monitoring and we will receive regular updates.
5. Our own Speed Indicator Device will serve to monitor volume and speed of traffic 24/7 which will also be very useful as additional data for the contractor.
6. We will be requesting police assistance, whenever possible, to monitor speeding vehicles and HGVs - especially during peak hours. This will be in addition to our own Community Speed Watch group playing an important role.
7. More than a dozen diversion signs are in place in the surrounding area – some as far away as the A350 - to indicate road closure ahead. This is not very helpful to us as it gives road users ample time to find alternative routes. Motorists from the west will inevitably use the A36 but those from Devizes might choose the B3083.
8. The B3083 is an emergency services route and there is little we can do to stop vehicles from using our road however unsuitable it is for the increased traffic flow.
9. The A36 is not being sign-posted as a diversion route due to the low bridge at Wilton. The only ‘official’ diversion route is the A345.
10. I have requested a sign to be placed at the A303 entry point to the Byway (between Longbarrow junction and Winterbourne Stoke) that leads to Druids Farm to deter traffic from attempting to use it. Probably: No Access through to the A36
11. The road from Stoford to the Woodfords where it crosses the A360 will be closed. I am yet to find out whether there will be access from The Avenue (from Wilton) to the roundabout across to Camp Hill.
12. The A360 will be manned 24/7 to allow access to residents and businesses that are located along the A360.
13. Inevitably, we should expect plenty of chaos during the first few days.

If you have any concerns during the closure or wish to highlight an issue, please contact me direct or email: www.a360temporaryclosure.co.uk

A303 Update – The Latest Legal Challenge and the Muddy Road Ahead

Following the case (on two grounds) which was dismissed by the Courts in February this year, Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) submitted their latest appeal on 12 March 2024.

You may recall that in July 2021, Mr Justice Holgate quashed the DCO on two grounds out of 10. The grounds for SSWHS’s current appeal are on the eight claims that were dismissed by the Court in 2021. SSWHS are requesting the Court of Appeal to overturn Mr Justice Holgate’s original judgement.

We can expect a wait of 6-8 weeks while the Court of Appeal decide whether there is a case to be heard. National Highways have requested a faster response time but in the meantime they have to work within the legal constraints and therefore the road scheme is on hold until we hear from the Court of Appeal. At this point in time, I will not be organising any A303 presentations to the village by National Highways until we can see a clear way forward.

NB: This delay does not affect the work on the A360 and the closure will go ahead as SSEN and Wiltshire Council and not National Highways head it up.

If the case does not go to court, it is estimated that Preliminary Works will begin mid-May. I can then give you an update on what those preliminary works entail. If the case does go to court, we can expect to down tools until at least the end of 2024.