Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Your Independent councillor for Hilperton.

Wiltshire Council news from Ernie Clark.

Grass cutting!! What a farce this has turned out to be – again. Some areas have been missed altogether whilst some that have been cut look terrible. Thanks to those who have contacted me about it and I am making your, and my, dis-pleasure known. In fact, this is a serious issue throughout the Trowbridge area – it isn’t confined simply to Hilperton.

The Cabinet member at Wiltshire Council who is responsible for this farce has said publically that BBLP is ‘drinking in the last chance saloon’. BBLP has been given until June 3rd to get the situation sorted out.

Stage One of the ‘Parish Governance’ review has now commenced. Parish/town councils have until the 31st July to submit their initial suggestions to Wiltshire Council. Just to recap for this area, that will probably be Trowbridge Town Council seeking to 'annex' chunks of Hilperton and West Ashton. For its part, Hilperton Parish Council is looking at its own suggestions for boundary changes and these will be discussed at the June and July parish council meetings.

People should see improved journey times on the A350 north of Chippenham as Wiltshire Council starts £2.7m improvement work. Work to improve traffic flow will inevitably be disruptive on what is a very busy route, the council is doing everything it can to minimise this by avoiding the use of traffic lights where possible. During construction a 30mph limit will be in place to ensure the safety of the site staff, and will allow the road to be kept open to two-way traffic throughout. There will be a series of overnight closures to allow specific items of work to be carried out safely. It will start with major work by utility companies to divert their services, followed by the main dualling work carried out by the council contractors. The work is due to be finished in early 2015.

More locally, Wiltshire Council contractors Atkins have announced that the road from Forewoods Common to Bradford on Avon will be closed between 7.00 and midnight from May 29th for eight nights on weekdays only. The work involves the resurfacing of the road, new road markings and the adjustment of ironwork. Traffic will be diverted via Woolley Green.