Government withdraws funding for £303m Melksham bypass

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 15:31 · Archive

The Government has pulled a £303 million bypass scheme around Melksham from its roads funding programme after a national review.

The Government has pulled the £303 million A350 Melksham Bypass from its roads funding programme following a national review. The Department for Transport concluded the scheme offered lower overall value for money than projects retained in the programme, with the announcement made on Friday.

Wiltshire Council says it is 'very disappointed' by the decision but stressed that the project could be reconsidered in future should another funding opportunity arise. Chief executive Lucy Townsend said the A350 is 'a strategically important route for Wiltshire and beyond' and noted that residents, businesses and stakeholders have long supported improvements to address congestion and transport challenges around Melksham.

The council said the bypass was intended to cut congestion and journey times, improve road safety and reduce noise and air-quality impacts. Melksham South councillor Jon Hubbard criticised the decision, noting that the Government had previously described the existing A350 through Melksham and Beanacre as 'sub-standard'.

How it is being reported

• Fury at decision to scrap bypass funding as town's traffic nightmare continuesWiltshire Council has refused to give up on a £303 million bypass despite the Government pulling the scheme from its roads funding programme.Wiltshire Times · 12 Oct, 13:53
• Fury at decision to scrap bypass funding as town's traffic nightmare continuesWiltshire Council has refused to give up on a £303 million bypass despite the Government pulling the scheme from its roads funding programme.Gazette & Herald · 12 Oct, 13:53

In this story: Wiltshire Council · Department for Transport · Melksham · Lucy Townsend · Jon Hubbard · A350

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