We, the undersigned, hereby respectfully petition Wiltshire Council to take urgent action to address the ongoing issue of illegal vehicle access on the Old A350 road passing through Semington to Melksham.
Despite being designated as a no-through road, except for buses, motorists continue to flout this regulation by unlawfully passing through the gate located to the northeast of the Air Ambulance HQ. This flagrant disregard for the rules of the road not only poses a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists but also undermines the tranquillity and air quality of the village.
Numerous attempts have been made by Semington villagers to mitigate this problem, including the establishment of a ‘No Entry’ watch scheme and there have been some police enforcement efforts over the years. However, these measures have proven ineffective in the long term.
Therefore, we urgently call upon Wiltshire Council to install an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera at the entrance of the Old A350 road in Semington. ANPR technology has been successfully implemented in various locations to deter and catch offenders who unlawfully access restricted areas.
By implementing an ANPR camera, Wiltshire Council can:
Actively deter motorists from illegally using the Old A350 road as a shortcut.
Enhance the safety and quality of life for residents and visitors of Semington.
Improve safety of recreational users of the Kennet and Avon Canal
We believe that the installation of an ANPR camera is a necessary and proportionate measure to address this persistent issue and safeguard the interests of the community.
