Graham Ellis - my blog
A walk into Bowerhill
6th April 2025 - my Daily Mile was around Melksham South and the northern end of Bowerhill, with an objective to look at pedestrian crossings with lights. I used a dozen crossings, checking the spinner at the control box I used in each case.
They all had spinners, and 11 out of the 12 worked. Some had cameras to sense movement and check that someone was actually waiting. 11 out of the 12 correctly changes for me, the twelvth cancelled me out probable because I stand quite still while waiting. I wonder what the regime is for checking these things? 11 out of 12 does not sound bad until it leaves someone stranded and unable to cross.
The Spa and Bowerhill are old haunts – we lived there in the semi-detached at No. 404 from 1999 until 2018, and during that time restored our listed building from uninhabitable to very nice, and grew a business from a shell to a flourishing training company - so much flourishing that we bought another property as our training centre and hotel. We continued to have a home and office at "404" until we retired, and we sold that home and moved into what had been the training centre. It's more practical for us - 404 was thin and tall with 55 steps from the entrance to the top floor, and we were getting no younger. At 48 there is a single flight of stairs, and we have bus stops right outside. But another story there!
While we were living at 404, it was suggested to me that I was nosey enough about what was going on around, and making suggestions and helping with the immediate area, that should stand for Melksham Without Parish Council. After giving it some very serious thought, I declined.
* I was running a business and didn't have the time I felt the job needed.
* I lived in the Blackmore Ward as it was then, which was already represented by two excellent councillors I did not wish to displace.
* I was concerned at the drubbing I saw councillors getting from members of the public at a meeting.
Clearly those things changed after we had moved into the town and retired, and I had become closer with the residents in the ward in which we live and I ran for the Town Council and - against predictions of people telling me I didn't have a chance - I was actually elected.
It has been a mixed experience but old times come back and I have enjoyed working on wide Melksham area projects with some of the very people I chose not to oppose for a place on MWPC - they're good people who put a lot in to the parish.
Anyway - enough of history and an old man's musings - see instead some picture from the Bowerhill Ward of Melksham Without today! Some ah "aww - that is nice" others are good / better that they were, yet could be so easily tuned to make them hugely better.
Melksham Splashpad for 2025
There has been much discussion over the last 24 hour as to whether the SplashPad should be open this week (writing 6th April 2025). Talk generated by the unseasonally lovely sunny weather which has brought people into the park to see ... a Splashpad bereft of features and clearly with refurbishment incomplete and not in a condition in which it can just be switched on and run. The talk has been confused by various old posts from Facebook from last year being (re)published / authorised in groups a year after they were made.This year - 2025 - the pad is due to open at 11 a.m. on Friday, 18th April, and open daily from then on until mid September, closing each day at 6 p.m. It remains free to use by humans of any age, with a requirement for those not yet or no longer able to control their outgoing bodily functions to wear appropriate protection. Children must be supervised by their parents, guardian or appropriate other adult. Staff are around to monitor the pad and water quality, and in an emergency please ask for help - but they are NOT lifeguards.
There is a caveat that the Splashpad is open "if safe" and safety MUST come first. If the temperature is under 10 degrees, if there's thunder and lightning around, if it's a howling gale then the pad will be closed. But then no-one in their right minds would want to use it in those conditions. If the water quality causes significant concern to staff monitoring the pool, they will close it as a precaution until adjustments are made - that's typically for an hour or two a handful of times during the season. Customers pee-ing or poo-ing in the pad cause water issues, as does large doses of sweat and suncream washing off people - there are no showers to rinse yourself before you go in the pad. Mechanical failure, staff shortage (if someone goes off sick or is required to help at an emergency anywhere in the Council's area) may very occasionally leave the pad being unable to open - these are rare and unpredictable events and people are typically very understanding if they happen and are "signposted" and explained. It is very easy, though, for staff at times of emergency to overlook keeping the public informed.
The safe operating capacity the Splashpad operates with is 60 people. There is no counting mechanism there and so this is approximated / judged by a member of staff who at busy times will operate a queue at the gate. It only happens for a few hours each year. Please be patient if you're wanting to splash at the same time as everyone else. Although we operate with a 60 limit, risk assessment is done for a higher number. That means we are utterly sure that we are within safe limits even though guessing at the actual numbers in there (have you ever tried counting children at play?)
Enjoy your spring and summer on the SplashPad
In the summer of 2023, I (as a Town Councillor) was trained to operate the Splashpad and to monitor and log the operation and usage. I have been CRB checked, fall under the council's insurance and have emergency first aid training. I am actually a trained swimming pool lifeguard too - though that was many years ago; the ethos of always keeping an eye out for everyone's safety around water remains.
2023 was fun one day a week. In 2024 with the refurbished cafe in operation, I felt that the work-desk and I were in the way of the catering staff and indeed a couple of accidents in that room confirmed that. Don't get me wrong - the team working for Craig are utterly lovely but there were awkward interfaces that had not been set up and managed to make it enjoyable and safe for the staff on both sides. No longer a councillor, I will not be on any Splashpad duties this (2025) summer and that's a double relief as I'll be travelling a lot more and a weekly duty was very limiting.
So - why is the pad not open today and this week?
It's a difficult judgement call. At this time of year, temperatures are often such that it's pleasant to be in the park, and yet too cold to make good use of the pad. As the weather is unpredictable, it's impossible to plan to be open every good day it will be used, but then close on every day when the temperature will not make it popular. The graphic at the top of this article ((here)) shows the daily temperatures for last summer - Bristol Airport data, but Melksham not hugely different.
In making the judgement, it's not only a question of having the right weather, but also having opening times when there will be customers around. Sensible to open during school holidays in the right weather. Not so sensible to open during the day when the children are at school as the customer base is decimated. Last year we switched from 10 til 5 to 11 til 6 to be open during the warmer late afternoon rather than the cool mornings, and to give schoolchildren a chance to have a splash after lessons. Experimental change worked and it's those later hours again this year.
There is also the issue with season length of getting the expert contractors - required twice a year - to commission and decommission the systems. It's their busy season, they need booking well ahead, and once the system is commissioned for the year there is a "turnover" cost each day of keeping the pad ticking over even if not open. Your council has been a frugal one on expenditures such as this (political discussion!) and so it's the established Melksham ethos to leave commissioning as late as possible to save money.
"Over and out" from me ... nah, you may see limited further comment and I am happy to answer questions but in discussions with newly
Published Sunday, 6th April 2025
Why do some bus stops have shelters?
Obvious answer - to protect people waiting for buses from the rain. But think about it - that means that shelters should be provided where people wait for the bus and get on, and probably not at places where people just get off the bus.
The question has been asked as to whether we could have a bus shelter at the stop across the road from Bud's Bar in Lowbourne, seeing as there's one at the stop directly outside Bud's Bar across the road. Let's take a look
Outside Bud's people wait for and join the bus at the stop with the shelter, outbound from Melksham, on 2 buses an hour through the day - routes 14 and 271, as well as on route 273 in the evenings and on Sundays, and on route x76 to Marlborough.
Across the road from Bud's people alight from the bus on town route 15 (twice a day), afternoon services on route 14 and in the evening and Sundays on route 273. They may alight from as well as join the Monday to Friday single service on x76 to Bath, and in the morning they join the 555 school service to Corsham.
Now - it's not a good idea to get children cold and wet as they wait for the school bus. But providing a bus shelter, and then paying for the maintenance of it for the next 20 years, does not strike me as good use of public funds. Better to suggest to the children, parents, and bus company that on wet mornings the children join the bus at the Bath Road stop which is just 200 metres from Bud's Bar, on a safe road with a good pavement, and already has a shelter used to pick up by more buses in an hour than stop to pick up across the road from Bud's Bar in a week.
Pictured - the sheltered alternative already available for school pasenger pickup
Published Saturday, 5th April 2025
Your next council(lors) - Melksham South
And so - nominations have closed for elections to Wiltshire Council and for the parishes including Melksham Town and Melksham Without.All across Melksham Town and Melksham Without, there are fewer candidates for the Parish (MTC and MWPC) councils than there are seats available, with the exception of the north ward in Melksham Town where three candidates - Saffi Rabey, Phil Alford and Geoff Mitcham are competing for two seats. Three very different candidates, and all three have a long track record of active support for Melksham Town. I hope that whichever candidate is not elected is co-opted by the new council for one of the vacant seats in a neighbouring ward and can bring his or her energy and good to the town over the next four years.
Here in Melksham South, three candidates for four places means that we are already assured that our town councillors will be Jon Hubbard, Andrew Griffin and Jenny Crossley. I welcome them - already - as our new councillors and look forward to learning more about Jenny, and about Jon's manifesto for the next four years, as they are both looking for your vote in the Wiltshire Council election in the South Ward. The full list of five candidates - on whom you vote on 1st May - for your single Wiltshire Councillors is in the graphic supporting this post.
Published Friday, 4th April 2025
High Street changes - Melksham
Our Town Centre - High Street, Bath Road and Church Street, has changed. Gone are the greengrocer and the traditional baker, stores like Woolworths who used to be in every town, and Peacocks and Clarks, and the were-big four banks - Midland, NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds. I am writing this morning with the departure of WH Smiths from their remaining High Street outlets - though I don't think they've been in Melksham since (?) 1973 (in the premises now occupied by Kingstons - see photo). But our town centre is not dead - it has changed for modern times.I walked up Bath Road and the High Street the other afternoon, and again late this (Saturday) morning, and there are barbers, and hairdressers, and nail bars. Are there to many? It would seem not - all busy the other day, and some busy to the extent of as many people waiting as having their hair done today.
We have a good variety of places to eat and takeaways - some not so busy during the day, but they are certainly not quiet in the evenings. And a whole host of other businesses too - travel and estate agents, tattoo parlours, opticians, charity shops - largely characterised right across the board by being personal service suppliers, rather than selling hard good which, these days, are mostly bought from what's referred to as a doughnut of supermarkets and outlets around the perimeter / outskirts. For Melksham, this ring is not as defined as elsewhere - perhaps party because a smattering of the shops remain. Could this be because our town has grown and yet the town centre hasn't. Until recently there were few vacant shops - there ARE a few vacant at present - perhaps a combination of UK and wider world economy issues and how the UK fits in, and a seasonality as some businesses have struggled over the winter.
And as well as the new mix of shops and other business destinations, we have people. This morning the Bank Street and the High Street were solid, with traffic backed up to Spa Court on the road in from Devizes, and some buses such as the 272 were full and standing, x34 pretty busy too. We have the spring market yesterday, today and tomorrow (if only the Tuesday Market were that vibrant with stalls and customers) and the whole thing was running well. Hmmmm - almost well, we could really do without the nose to tail traffic and without people standing on the Bath bus even before it arrives in Melksham - we have the challenges of future growth to consider so that we continue to have an attractive Town Centre and don't get choked with people.
Published Sunday, 30th March 2025
Melksham Daily Mile - Walking in April 2025
A Facebook group - "Daily Mile Melksham" has been set up for April - "This is a virtual challenge to help you move more by getting out to walk 1 mile a day! Walking is the most underrated forms of exercise, let’s go!!!!". Nothing to do with me, but I'm going to take part and see how I can do in the case of my daily life and you can too!I have never exercised just for the sake of exercise - I get easily bored and would much rather build my exercised into other things I do during the day. But it IS a good idea to keep tabs on how much exercise I get - again I would get bored logging that, but (accidentally) there's an app on my phone that I hadn't realised was turned on a while back and it's built a history.
Where do I start from? For the last month I have averaged 2.1 miles per day, but for 18 days out of 30 - that's the majority - I have not managed even that mile - my average is pulled up by heavy exercise days, and typically those are the days I have been using public transport and going places.
Let's look at some of those busiest days
On 24th March, I walked to Melksham Station, caught the train to London, took in some old haunts and explored the Overground. Walking included home to station, and around Upminster, Barking Riverside, Surrey Quays, Crystal Palace, Swiss Cottage, and Westminster to Lambeth. On 25th - Lambeth to Parliament and St James Park, and the tiny bit home from Melksham Market place where I arrived by bus. On 27th, home to bus, and Chippenham Bus Station to The Angel, back by a similar route.
My five miles on 22nd March were around Melksham, looking at the three footpath crossings over the railway to help provide local information to rail industry friends, and that followed a trip to Taunton on 21st where - since my appointment there was cancelled - I walked along the canal from Firepool to Bathpool.
And from 3rd to 6th March I had taken a few days away in Scotland - travelling up to Inverness on 3rd, walk to station, train to London, bus across London and train to Inverness, walk yo hotel. On 4th I travelled back across to Kirkcaldy and travelled to the new stations (hint, hint - locally) at Cameron Bridge and Leven with a good look around both towns. On 5th, train to Kyle of Lochalsh and back with a stop off and walk around at Duirinish and Plockton, and an evening walk up to Ness Islands, then on 6th back to London, walk along the Regents Canal from Kings Cross to Paddington and the home from Melksham Station.
Little doubt than my public transport use (I can and do sometime drive) helps me be exercised, but I'm going to have to remind myself to take a walk on none-travel days in April in order to ensure that I do a mile each day. Please join in, and please encourage me too if you see me out walking
Published Saturday, 29th March 2025
A week in the life ...
Here I am on Friday after THE most intensive week in a long time. On Monday, I took a trip to London - or rather went all around London - an outer circle - using 5 out of the six of the overground lines (and a riverbus).
On Tuesday, at the invite of our MP and GWR I met up with him and them in Portcullis House - across the road from the Houses of Parliament - and we had the most fabulous discussions on railway futures in Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham and Devizes. I have already followed up with a summary list of issues raised where the people we met can help, and I will be writing up further. 
On Wednesday, I joined station adoption group representatives online for a training and sharing session - learning for Melksham from Wool, Rayleigh, Broadbottom, Saltaire and various other places. Amazing how much there is to think about and perhaps take forward, and also how very different all stations and the communities around them are.
On Thursday, I attended the "MetroWest" event in Chippenham - for the Bath and Wiltshire area, run by Connected Cities. This is a very exciting project looking ahead for the area, where after years of various mixed ideas all the experts are coming toward a concensus on what we should be doing, and planning how we do it.
And today - Friday - some early follow ups on those three days, and a visit to the Melksham Spring Market. But there has been more too. At around 06:00 on Tuesday, one of our web servers - the one running the Great Western Coffee Shop forum got damaged by a power failure at our web service provider's network centre in Docklands. This is a rare event and usually the server comes straight back up, but in this case (rare event on top of rare event) the disc got corrupted and quite significantly. My email, message system, phone all buzzed with reports ... we have around 100 registered members each day, and perhaps a further 200 guests read us. First priority - let people know that we were aware of the problem and give them a timescale - initially - for news and then when we had analysed the damage for an estimated return to service, which was achieved by 19:00 the same day for reading, 13:30 the next day for new contributions and 18:00 that follow day for the associated image library. In the process of this work, lots of backups were unpacked and today I have been tidying up - reducing the disc usage back from 98% which was perilously close to full down to 83% again which is a reasonable running level. Our backup scheme meant that no posts were lost in the process.
The week has been positive and exciting - a chance to keep my server skills up to scratch and such fantastic things at three different events, all of which will be taken forward through the rest of the year. Even though I will soon be off the council I will not be short of things to do - quite the reverse as I can concentrate on the development and transportation issues.
Published Friday, 28th March 2025
A350 trunking - thoughts as written to the MIN
BackgroundThe current A36 / A46 trunk road route from the M4 to the South Coast is broken at Bath. There is only a few hundred yards between the two roads at Bathampton, and yet no acceptable solution to link them. Even if that were done, it would not be a total solution for providing a through route for a volume of "heavies". The proposal is for the A350, via Westbury, Melksham and Chippenham, to be used / upgraded in the future as the route north for fast and heavy traffic from Warminster, where the current snd future "trunked" routes come together, to the M4.
Thoughts
It would be so easy headline a complaint that the people of Bath are being NIMBYs ("Not in my back yard") and to some extent they are. But better to take a pragmatic look as as a whole at the routes, the requirements, and crucially the additional regional and local needs that a significantly improved A350 would bring - saying, perhaps, to the people of Bath "if you don't want the improvements this will bring, we will consider taking them - thank you"
Significant extra housing is being built and will be built over the next 15 years in Warminster, Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham and whilst we might want and expect to see a further massive improvement in passenger services in that corridor, it would put a huge pressure on some places on the existing road network. Westbury, Yarnbrook, and North Melksham / Beanacre come to mind. There is sense in making improvements at / past each of those places in order to relieve the traffic past them as well as to serve current and future businesses in each locstion.
Some more detailed ideas
for WESTBURY ... it has struck me for decades that a link from the West Wilts trading estate end of the town, parallel with the railway to the A36 at the place I know as "Frome Market" would make for a sensible bypass, and would also allow the "heavies" from the trading estate to get to the south coast (e.g. Southampton) without having to go through the town. I was logged at the Westbury Bypass Enquiry when a route below the White Horse was being consider as an objector, and I suppose I was, but only to the wrong route which it was for many reasons. "White elephant under the white horse" as far as some major traffic flows were concerned!
For MELKSHAM ... there is sense in building a section of road from the A350 just south of Lacock across the river and across the countryside to (and probably past) the A3102 Melksham to Calne Road. On southwards there are at least 4 options for the strategic traffic, and for the enhanced communities of Trowbridge, and Westbury and Warminster too to have a route to the M4 that does not take in the north Melksham / Beanacre pinch point.
This Melksham to Lacock link road would address concerns on the long (official) was round for traffic from the newer areas of the east of Melksham northward and westwards, would relive pressure on Bath Road in the Town Centre and the old bridge, and would also provide a very welcome alternative to the Woodrow / New Road "rat run" we already have and could be set to be far worse.
Note the benefits for Melksham of this plan - should we be embracing it, or shouting NIMBY and having limited input as to what comes and can be beneficial to us. I think we will do better as partners in a predominantly sensible for is all scheme rather than as protesters who "have to" be overcome.
For YARNBROOK ... I have fewer details having not studied it quite so closely. The West Ashton Crossroads and the Yarnbrook roundabout are significant pinch points; improvements at the roundabout would/will need to consider where the strategic route flows to the south as it heads for Westbury - vie the West Wilts trading area (looks best to me), via the Town Centre as at present or, heaven help us, to a relief road below the White Horse.
And finally - the wider picture
As Chippenham, Trowbridge and Melksham amongst other grow towards a more and more "connected city" the road and rail, private and public transport needs to take account. In addition to the road proposals in the current report, there are parallel rail and bus proposals and actual improvements. Just yesterday (21.3.2025) I spent some time with the Go-op expert (former Network Rail project manager for the area, now retired) looking at foot crossing improvements of the railway in the Melksham Area, and at a second track being put back for part of the way along the corridor. Sunday bus services returned last year, regular service is up to every 30 minutes during the week, and watch this apace for evenings.
There is a massive "flow" in and out of Bath and Bristol from Melksham and I am conscious that I have not mentioned it to this point. Relieving pressure on London Road into Bath would, as an aside, be helpful. An increased train service through Melksham with good connections at Trowbridge and Chippenham would do wonders for that commute - yesterday it took me just 40 minutes Bristol to Melksham by train and if this were the norm ... with a crystal ball, I can see direct trains from Melksham to Bristol but NOT as the next phase of improvement, and I can see a great deal enhanced city / town living using the old library and Cooper Tires sites, and with a station and bus hub being a natural part of the town as that wound of the A350 trunk road separating the town from its station is healed, with traffic passing to the east of Melksham. Remember the Melksham has a railway, just an 8 minute walk from the Town Bridge.
These are personal thoughts, though with a number of years of experience in these matters. You are welcome to emaciate the thoughts with me and indeed publicise my details for people to get in touch - Melksham Transport User Group, AGM, 13th May.
Published Tuesday, 25th March 2025
Foot crossing over the railway in Melksham
Level foot crossings over railway lines ... we have three in the Melksham area - two in Melksham Without (Beanacre ward) and one in Melksham Town (North ward). Consideration is being given to an increased train service along the line. That would be an extra 3 or 4 passenger trains each way calling at Melksham on top of perhaps 36 train of all sorts which pass through, up to 9 calling each way.
Questions asked - what is needed, if anything, to enhance the safety of these three crossings? It has been suggested that all three might be busy with foot traffic. Do we have any local evidence to confirm or deny this? What action needs to be taken to make the crossings safer? Are they used enough to make it sensible to spend money on them, and if so on what extra facilities? Is it such a big problem that no extra trains should be run and indeed the current train service curtailed? Is there any merit and closing or diverting the footpaths?
I am looking at the crossings north to south here - so in descending order
3. Crossing on the path between Beanacre and the Melksham electric substation
Wholly in the parish of Melksham Without
3.1 This crossing has recently been upgraded / refurbished with railings and new signage. There are long straight track sections on the approach to give good visibility. The refurbishment includes steps and a swing-gate style so the crossing is not wheelchair friendly. The line speed limit is 70 mph and it should be expected that trains will be travelling at close to that speed
3.2 From limited local evidence, pedestrian usage of this crossing is low. The crossing itself shows signs of last autumn's leaf mould still there, and the grass growing in the field leading to the gate to the crossing shows only a faint track indicating limited foot passage.
3.3 I am not aware of any planning applications or future developments "community side" that would result in a significant change in pedestrian use. I am aware of proposals so add a second track to some parts of the Chippenham to Trowbridge line, and if that were done past this point the crossing and static barriers would need rebuilding.
2. Crossing on the path between Beanacre and Shurnhold Field / Dunch Lane
In the parish of Melksham Without, footpath leads into Melksham Town
2.1 The crossing itself is modern but not the very latest of signage as there is at crossing No. 3. There are steps up meaning it is not suitable for wheelchairs, and also swing-gate styles. Trains here are travelling at about 40 mph as this crossing is on the edge of the change from the 70 limit to the north to the 40 limit through curves at Melksham Station.
2.2 Local evidence suggests that this is the busiest crossing of the three. The path approach is clearly worn, and this is the only one of the three crossings where I have encountered other user - not in my look yesterday to take photos (no-one else around) but in summer weather. However, although the "busiest" that does NOT mean I would describe it as busy - compared (for example) to the foot crossing in Poole I would suggest that the Poole crossing is used by more people in a typical daytime minute than use even this busiest Melksham crossing in a week! (note - data from https://abcrailwayguide.uk/ confirms this)
2.3 Planning applications have been submitted (not sure current status) for land to the south east of the crossing and they could result in a modest increase in foot crossings for people walking to Shurnhold Fields. However, a more logical route for these people to walk would be over the nearby Dunch Lane road bridge. Like the other crossings, work would be required should a second track be relayed here.
1. Crossing on the path behind Asda into fields to the west.
In the parish of Melksham Town. Path carries and divides giving access to parished of Melksham Without and Broughton Gifford, as well as back to a public road within Melksham Town.
1.1 This Crossing is currently closed (8th to 27th March) while Network Rail relay the railway. Looking though the fence, it is currently flat access and with fence to close to the track, level across, recent but not latest signage. Access to the crossing is across traditional styles, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs and indeed for anyone not fit enough to climb a style. Trains typically pass at around 40 mph due to the proximity of the curve through Melksham Station - the limit rises to 60mph at around this point.
1.2 Historically this has been the least used of any of the three crossings. I was unable to cross yesterday due to the closure, but I do note that I have not heard a single complaint about the 3 week closure and the very long diversion in a town that is very good at grumbling. The approach to the crossing from the Town side (behind ASDA) has recently been redone - it's now a brand new stone chipping walkway without any chance yet of evidence of passing feet. On a previous visit a couple of years ago, I had to fight my way through brambles and thistles to get to it. - This is the picture to the right1.3 Planning applications for the "upside" are possible but in the immediate proximity unlikely due to flood plain issues. Housing a little further away would likely lead to traffic over the A365 road bridge which is quite close by. It has been suggested in local plans that this crossing could form part of a strategic walking and cycling path from Melksham to Shaw Hill which is far more direct than the road, using the route of current moribund public footpaths. Also note that this crossing would need re-doing if a second track of railway was restored at this point.
In addition to these three level foot crossings in the Melksham area, the Network Rail Sectional Appendix shows three private user worked crossings to the south of Melksham, with telephones, probably for farm vehicles between fields, and I an aware of a further footpath crossing in the Broughton Gifford Parish to the north of the Pack Horse Bridge, providing the only public right of way access to the bridge from that side of the river. These crossings are outside the area of enquiry, but clearly need to be considered within the overall crossing regime.
I am drawing no conclusions here - just providing evidence. Foot crossings ARE dangerous and become more so as train numbers increase, train speeds increase, trains become quieter, foot passages over the crossings increase, and users of the crossings become less familiar with the crossings as they become rarities. There are multiple solutions available to reduce the risk but all have consequences, and there is no "one size fits all". The ABC Railway guide above tells me that tehre have been no accidents at any of the three crossings in the recent past (as of the date it was last updated) and I know of nothing very recent either - but that is not an excuse for us consider the riska ant take any preventative measures as a precaution. We should bear in mind that most of the options would involve substantial cost and might hinder or prevent service improvement.
Options to reduce the risk IF ANY NEEDED include
1. Better / more local publicity
2. Add warning lights that a train is coming (as done on Westbury avoider)
3. Add locking gates or barrier and with CCTV to signal box
4. Provide a footbridge
5. Require all trains to slow down
6. Divert or close the path
7. Limit the number of trains passing
8. Close the railway
And all of these would cost money and / or have dramatic other consequences
Published Saturday, 22nd March 2025
March, April, May 2025 and beyond - personal plan
* For the rest of this month (March 2025) I remain fully active as a Town Councillor, up to and including the full council meeting on 31st.
* In the month of April, we have two Economic Development and Planning meetings - 1st and 22nd - and I will attend and give my full attention to matters therein such as helping make MTC comments on planning applications. I will also be on hand to speak for and explain elements of the Neighbourhood Plan as it comes to referendum, for any steering group meetings, and for any immediate "case work" type stuff. Also in April, but no longer a Melksham Town Council working group, the Melksham Environment group meets (8th and 29th) and I'll be there.
* Come May, I become "just a resident". I WILL take an interest in some general Town stuff, but only to the extent of providing an appropriate community supporting voice to the new council. Much of my interest lies in planning for travel and transport as the town changes and grows, in the provision of that transport, and on the the use and tuning of travel (from walking and cycling to driving, buses and trains) and I hope to still be of some help from community roles in those areas over coming years. Good friends remain good freinds.
Here (intro / summary) the active local public transport groups - a newcomers's guide to how they fit together is useful - see (this) from my 11th January blog.
** On 19th March, I was re-elected to the committee of the West Wiltshire Rail User Group
** I am acting chair of the Melksham Transport User Group and expect to remain in a significant role after their AGM on 13th May
** In December last, I was elected to the Board of TravelWatch SouthWest and that's a three year term
** I am the Webmaster for the Great Western Coffee Shop Passenger Forum and would be surprised if that role is not renewed at AGM time this summer
Published Friday, 21st March 2025