Plans for traffic order in Laverstock shelved
The process may need to start again
Last updated 15th Jul 2022
The plans for an Experimental Traffic Regulatory Order to improve congestion in Laverstock have been shelved.
Due to the four schools on church road, traffic can be a big issue in the area.
Consultations were held earlier this year and after hearing from residents, Laverstock and Ford Parish Council proposed a Controlled Parking Zone so parents couldn't wait on the road to pick up their children.
However, Wiltshire Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste, Street Scene and Flooding says he feels a permanent Traffic Regulatory Order would be more appropriate.
This would require Laverstock & Ford PC to go back to Wiltshire Council and persuade them to start the process again.
It was hoped the order would be in place for September at the start of the new academic year.
Councillor Nick Baker, Chair of Laverstock & Ford Parish Council stated:
“The issues of dangerous driving, delays, and pollution caused by parking on Church Road have been a top priority for local residents for many years. Having worked on the issue for 18 months I am naturally disappointed by the delay that Councillor McClelland’s decision causes. Although a permanent order is the usual outcome of the further consultation he wishes to carry out, we are calling on him to be more flexible in this case and maintain the use of an experimental order. This is a complex issue, and only experience will show how effective the traffic measures are, and what impact they have on neighbouring streets. Residents therefore should have a guaranteed mechanism to give their views and decide on the future of the yellow lines after they have seen them in action.”
Laverstock & Ford Parish Council is calling on Cllr Dr. Mark McClelland to enter into discussion about his decision regarding the ETRO and his plan to conduct further consultation with a view to introducing a permanent Traffic Regulatory Order.
Dr Mark McClelland told Greatest Hits Radio:
"Given controversy regarding the proposed parking controls on Church Road, it was not appropriate to rush them through on an experimental basis without thorough consultation through a standard Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process.
I appreciate the frustration of local residents living in Laverstock near the three secondary schools who want to see action as quickly as possible. However, this is not a matter purely for Laverstock and Ford Parish Council to determine. The three secondary schools serve the whole of the Salisbury area and it is right that everyone has the chance to have their say on these parking restrictions before they are implemented.”