Calne High Street one-way scheme to be permanent

Wiltshire Council will permanently make Calne High Street a one-way street following a successful trial.

The trial, which reopened High Street to traffic in February 2025, was introduced under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to assess whether it could help improve traffic flow and support road safety in the town centre.

The High Street was previously closed to traffic but was reopened to southbound traffic for the trial.

The decision follows monitoring, consultation and a review of the results, and includes a permanent 3.5-tonne weight restriction and a 9.9-metre vehicle length restriction on High Street between Wood Street and Curzon Street.

It also supports priorities in Our Wiltshire Plan to create safer roads, protect the environment and support safe, resilient communities.

Along with the permanent one-way scheme, the council will work with Calne Town Council to make changes to enhance the area, such as replacing the current barriers with street furniture that is more in keeping with the town, and addressing some concerns with pedestrians’ ability to cross.

Monitoring carried out during the trial has shown the scheme is achieving its aims. Traffic volumes have reduced on Wood Street, one of the key objectives of the project, without causing significant displacement of traffic onto the wider road network.

Traffic monitoring found that journey times through the town centre improved following the reopening of High Street, with significant travel time reductions on some key routes.

A public consultation carried out during the experimental period received 73 responses on the initial scheme, with 40 supporting the proposals, 11 objecting and 22 providing general comments. A further consultation on additional restrictions received one objection.

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Cllr Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “The Experimental Traffic Regulation Order has given us the opportunity to carefully monitor the impact of reopening Calne High Street to traffic and assess whether the scheme has delivered the benefits it was designed to achieve.

“The evidence collected during the trial shows that traffic volumes on Wood Street have reduced and journey times have improved.

“The scheme also supports the commitments set out in Our Wiltshire Plan by helping to create safer roads, supporting active travel and reducing the impact of traffic on the local environment. Following detailed monitoring and consultation, we are making these measures permanent.”

Image: Wiltshire Council