Issue details

Councillor Nadine Watts - Considering all the points that officers raise in appendix G, I agree with their recommendation not to proceed with this alternative proposal regarding a rising bollard. In particular, due to the legal complexity, installation & maintenance costs and time involved. Although I am sympathetic towards the residents’ request, their access is not being cut off entirely. I understand that officers also checked with other authorities. I note that there were a lot of people who responded to the consultation who were in favour of keeping Mill Lane open. However, residents that lived nearer raised safety concerns. The proposal to close Mill Lane was in the original planning consent for Wichelstowe back in 2005. Although, I am not sure that the time has come to close Mill Lane, I will defer to officers’ knowledge on this matter and as long as there are no restrictions on Redpost Drive and Peglars Way.

            Councillor Jane Milner-Barry – I support  the decision by SBC to close Mill Lane to vehicular traffic as this was a planning condition for the Wichelstowe development and the road which is in places steep, winding, narrow and wet would not be able safely to cope with the increase in traffic which will result from the building out of Middle Wichel.  I support the officers’ recommendation not to proceed with a rising bollard scheme.

            Councillor Nick Burns-Howell – I understand that a number of options have been considered to keep Mill Lane fully or partially open, however this has not been possible due to ongoing safety concerns, especially as the volume of traffic is set to increase. I’m glad to see that this route will be kept open for pedestrian and bicycle access. I feel that the Borough needs to quickly consider implementing parking restrictions on Mill Lane, especially as the new development is progressed.

            Councillor Brian Ford – As you know from past dealings I successfully fought to keep this route open many years ago however time moves on.  I cannot object to this closure as long as the present route that goes to Wootton Bassett Road is kept open to ALL traffic.

            Councillor Cathy Martyn – On the basis that this prohibition to vehicles is required to keep people safe, I support the proposal. I am pleased that a route on Mill Lane will remain open & maintained for pedestrians & cyclists which will enable sustainable travel to continue. There are few routes in & out of Swindon from the south, so I agree with Cllr Ford that the route out of Redposts Drive onto Wootton Bassett Road should remain open without restriction.

            Councillor Andy Spry – no comment received.

            Councillor Stan Pajak – I fully support the closure. Mill Lane has always been a route used by both walkers and cyclists since my childhood. It has now become a busy route and obviously would become increasingly so with further development which explains why the closure was set as Council policy. I support the closure.

            Councillor Steve Allsopp – I fully support the closure order for the reasons set out in the report.