WILTSHIRE Council is planning the six-week closure of the B3108 between Bradford on Avon and Winsley to install a £250,000 new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

The county authority plans to replace a previous short-term cycleway scheme for social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic with a more permanent scheme.

It says the new two-way scheme will create a safer route between Bradford on Avon and Winsley for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We held a public consultation exercise in December 2020 on active travel schemes, including the temporary scheme that was in place between Winsley and Bradford-on-Avon at the time.

“A total of 583 responses were specific to that scheme, and 67 per cent of those stated a preference for the introduction of a permanent solution at this location to replace the temporary scheme.

“To enable us to install a shared use path that will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, the B3108 will be closed to motor vehicles for six weeks; though pedestrian and cyclists will still be able to use the road during this time.

“To minimise potential disruption, the work will take place during the school summer holidays, when historically traffic volumes are lower.

"Because we are widening the current footway, and to keep our teams safe, it is unfortunately not possible for the road to remain open to vehicles.

"There will be a signed diversion route in place, with signage visible along the A36, as well as local signs advising that businesses remain open as usual.

“To ensure the contractor is able to complete the work in the timescale, they will utilising twice the normal resource, working an extended day from 7am to 7pm, work an extended week to include Saturdays, and also use alternative technologies for the excavation of the new kerb line.

“Choosing to walk or cycle rather than taking a car can have a positive effect on people’s health, air quality and the environment. It also helps to reduce traffic congestion, and this shared path in particular will provide safer routes for children to and from school.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that these works may cause, and look forward to the new scheme being open later in the summer.”

But protesters say the road closure will ‘cut off’ local villages and could result in a massive drop in customers for businesses such as the Hartley Farm Shop and the Seven Stars public house.

It could also create problems for people travelling to and from Avonpark residential care home and the Dorothy House Hospice at Winsley.