Last Summer, Wiltshire Council set up an experimental traffic restriction order on the byway that runs from St George’s Road to Hilperton.  This restricts vehicular traffic until November 20th 2024.

The Parish Council has had reports that inappropriate car & van traffic is now much reduced and that villagers are once again using the byway in greater numbers.  If this is your experience please write to trafficorderconsultations@wiltshire.gov.uk to say so.  Here’s an example of something sent recently:

I am writing to comment on the difference that the experimental traffic restriction order on Semington byway SEMI 9A / HILP 22 has made since its introduction in May 2024.

 

I think that this has been a complete success for two reasons: [1] the amount of vehicular traffic flowing onto and from St George’s Road Semington has been hugely reduced from its pre-introduction levels, and [2] proper usage of the by way by walkers, cyclists and horse riders has increased as villagers have grown in confidence that they won’t be confronted by huge vehicles travelling far too quickly.

 

In saying this I draw not only on my own experience of using the byway for walking and cycling, but also on evidence provided by other villagers and at Parish Council meetings.

 

To maximise continuing, proper safe use of the byway, I am convinced that the Order needs to be made permanent as soon as possible.

It is important that we make our voices heard if this change is to be made permanent.

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And here’s a reminder that Wiltshire Council would like us all to report incidents of inappropriate use of the byway.  These need to be sent to Wiltshire Police via their on-line reporting tool, to Wiltshire Council via integrated.transport@wiltshire.gov.uk and to the Parish Council at byway@semington.org.uk

Ideally, the data needed are:

• Date / time
• Location
• Registration number
• Speed – ok or too fast
• Whether there was any danger to other users, or any altercation between users