A4 through Chippenham one of ‘worst roads for speeding’

One of a town’s busiest roads has been labelled one its most “dangerous” amidst concerns over speeding drivers.

Town councillor David Poole has identified the A4 Rowden Hill and Bath Road into Chippenham as an area where fast vehicles pose a risk to people’ safety.

Cllr Poole told this newspaper that vehicles frequently exceed the speed limit on the road into the town centre, endangering pedestrians and bicycles.

He stated, “It has been a problem for quite some time, and I believe it is one of the worst roads in Chippenham for speeding.

“While walking my dog on Rowden Hill, I’ve seen a high rate of speeding. I’ve also received reports from a few residents.

“It’s a concern because it’s one of the town’s busiest roads and there are a lot of pedestrians and cyclists that use it so it’s certainly dangerous.”
Cllr Poole also expressed worry about speeding on Rowden Hill and Bath Road during a presentation by Wiltshire Police to Chippenham Town Council earlier this year.

During the presentation, Sergeant Jamie Ball discussed how the force has dealt with speeding in Chippenham.

Sgt Ball believes Rowden Hill does not have a specific issue with speeding, but it is one of the roads that concerned locals have repeatedly addressed with police.

He stated, “We are trying to listen to the people, and as you can see from the wide range of speed checks that we’ve done over the last six or eight months, we’re trying to focus on as many locations as we can.

“However, many individuals have come to us and raised Rowden Hill and Hungerdown Lane.

“Rowden Hill is an area that we’ve spoken with the speed enforcement team and requested them to look at over the last two or three months, but I wouldn’t say there’s a specific concern.

Several drivers were caught speeding on Rowden Hill during earlier speed enforcement efforts.

In November, police reported that one driver had been served with a notice of intent to prosecute, while 19 others were advised to reduce their speed.

Other routes mentioned as issue locations for speeding during the conference included The Causeway and Canal Road.