A303 Community Engagement News

Please see attached for details regarding the above road closure and diversion route. The only diversion route designated will be the A345 through Amesbury. The A36 will not be classified as a diversion route due to the concern of trucks hitting the bridge at Wilton; nonetheless the A36 will be used extensively during this period. I am yet to be informed of exactly when the closure will commence and where the diversion signs will be located.

We will naturally be concerned that our road will be used as a rat run during the three month closure. I am aiming to address this issue as best I can with National Highways, SSEN, Wiltshire Council, the police and our Till Valley Councillor Kevin Daley. The B3083 is not suitable for increased traffic flow over such a long period of time; with the added risk to safety where the lanes narrow and there are no pavements. The current poor state of the road will only deteriorate further with heavy use. Although we have the 7.5T weight limit signs, this does not fully deter HGVs from using our road when bottlenecks occur.

At the very least we will be looking for better highly visible signage regarding weight restrictions for HGVs and some form of assistance from the police when required. Our Community Speed Watch team will also play a significant part. How we discourage rat running will prove somewhat more problematic but key positioning of diversion signs will help. As the B3083 is classified as an emergency services route, it cannot be closed or have obstacles installed to deter motorists.

No construction work will begin before April 2025 although a number of preliminary fieldwork will commence this year. In due course I will put details of these on our village website.

There are still obstacles on the way. The issue at the moment is to see if there is a successful appeal from Stonehenge Alliance WHS. Although they have stated they will be appealing against the ruling made on 19 February 2024, they have until Monday 11 March to confirm. If they go ahead, one can expect a 4-6 week period for judgement to be made as to whether there is a case to be heard. If the appeal does go to court, National Highways have to work within the constraints of the law and the project goes back on hold. National Highways are not in a position to give us their perspective as to how the A303 project might be viewed by a change of government.

I am planning for National Highways A360 and A303 Project Managers to visit Berwick St James before the A360 closure to give us an update and where you will have the opportunity to raise your questions. I will keep you posted.