Design
The detailed design stage has now been completed. The repair of the B4069 will include 108m of new contiguous bored pile retaining wall with additional tension micro piles being installed to support the bank and the reinstated road. The design also includes for new drainage features which will help to formalise the flow of water through the bank, in turn help to improve the stability of the area.
ProcurementWith the final design now complete, we've started the tender process to select a preferred contractor to deliver the works. The final deadline for submission from interested contractors was 7 March 2024. We will then undertake an internal evaluation of the bids before selecting the preferred tenderer in May 2024.
PlanningWe've submitted a full planning application in connection with the Lyneham Banks scheme. The Planning reference number is PL/2024/02330 and full details are available through our Planning & Building Control Public Register.
Continued ImprovementsGround movement to the west of the land slide continues to be monitored by us on a weekly basis. No significant ground movements have been observed over the last two months, but manual monitoring and detailed inclinometer readings will continue to be recorded.
Traffic ManagementWe continue to monitor the impact of the closure of the B4069 on the surrounding road network. As part of this monitoring process, we commissioned surveys in February this year. The results of the survey will be published on the Lyneham Banks webpage in the coming weeks.
Wiltshire Police continue to monitor Lyneham and Bradenstoke to enforce the one-way order on Clack Hill, and various speed and weight limits which are in place in the area.
The links below will take you to the full stories around the whole site. Whilst you are with us, please take a moment to browse some of the other pages.
Inclusion of stories is at the discretion of the site
COMPTON BASSETT WEATHERFrom Weather Widgets
It is with great sadness that I bring the sad news of the passing of Henry Shepherd Cross yesterday at 2.20 in Great Western Hospital after suffering a stroke at home.
One of the great characters of the village who will be sadly missed by many.
As soon as I have more details I will post them on here. But in the meantime my heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and all who could call him their friend.
Compton Bassett Parish Council have got the 40mph speed limit extended in their recent efforts to control traffic using the roads through the villageas a cut through between Lyneham/Swindon and Devizes.
Launched in December by the PCC, the Policing, Priorities and £s survey seeks the views of residents and stakeholders as he develops the budget for policing and commissioned services for the next financial year (2024/25).
As part of the survey, respondents are asked whether their household would be prepared to invest more in policing through the police precept element of their council tax. This, alongside a grant from the government, accounts for the entire budget for policing in the county. As it stands, due to the national police funding formula, Wiltshire Police is the second lowest funded police force in the country per head of capita.
Click on link to see full story and take the survey 'One Network'
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson is urging residents to have their say on the policing budget as he considers an average increase of 5.2% - an extra £1.09 a month for a Band D property.
Launched in December by the PCC, the Policing, Priorities and £s survey seeks the views of residents and stakeholders as he develops the budget for policing and commissioned services for the next financial year (2024/25).
As part of the survey, respondents are asked whether their household would be prepared to invest more in policing through the police precept element of their council tax. This, alongside a grant from the government, accounts for the entire budget for policing in the county. As it stands, due to the national police funding formula, Wiltshire Police is the second lowest funded police force in the country per head of capita.
Click on link to see full story and take the survey 'One Network'
Thinking about refreshing your home in 2024?
Check out the paint reuse scheme at your local household recycling centre (HRC) and browse the free water-based paint that is on offer.
Give the planet some love this Valentine's Day by following these waste and recycling tips.
Check out this article by Recycle Now for more tips.
This month we are introducing monthly myth busters, where we will give you clear answers to common myths about recycling and waste.
Myth – Wiltshire’s household waste goes to landfill.
Fact – We divert 60,000 tonnes of household waste per year to Northacre Resource Recovery Centre in Westbury which converts this waste into a fuel. We also divert 50,000 tonnes of household waste to Lakeside Energy from Waste (EfW) facility in Slough. This converts the waste into energy.
Learn more about what happens to Wiltshire’s waste here.
Broken mirrors, pyrex and drinking glasses can’t be recycled at kerbside due to the materials they are made from and because they have different melting points.
You can recycle these at your nearest household recycling centre.
We have introduced a book reuse scheme at all our household recycling centres. The scheme allows you to donate or collect good quality books which are suitable to be reused. Keep an eye out for the separate container or ask a member of staff to direct you.
With the recent heavy rainfall along with the colder weather, we wanted to remind you that you can keep up to date with any service disruptions such as delays to collections on our website.
Waste and recycling collection service disruption - Wiltshire Council
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson is urging residents to have their say on the policing budget as he considers an average increase of 5.2% - an extra £1.09 a month for a Band D property.
Launched in December by the PCC, the Policing, Priorities and £s survey seeks the views of residents and stakeholders as he develops the budget for policing and commissioned services for the next financial year (2024/25).
As part of the survey, respondents are asked whether their household would be prepared to invest more in policing through the police precept element of their council tax. This, alongside a grant from the government, accounts for the entire budget for policing in the county. As it stands, due to the national police funding formula, Wiltshire Police is the second lowest funded police force in the country per head of capita.
Click on link to see full story and take the survey 'One Network'
LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, revealed Calne will be the latest town to be allocated a new banking hub.
The new banking hub, which has been requested by Calne Town Councillor Michael Hudstone will be a shared banking space providing similar facilities to a traditional branch and will be open to all. Premises have yet to be identified but the search will begin in the next few weeks and is hopehully to be opening in 2024 A site for the new banking hub has not yet beenn identified
Calne had it's last traditional high street close in the pandemic and ATM machine numbers significantly dwindling in numbers. The population of Calne is now the fourth largest in Wiltshire so the banking hub will be a great step forward to cater for the growing number of vulnerable residents who struggle to cope with the online-only methods of banking that most of the banks are now relying on when connecting with their customers. Banks will provide staff to advise customers on a rotational basis. LINK's latest announcement is part of a wider commitment to protecting access to cash, Chris Ashton, the head of banking services at LINK, believes the facility will provide a vital service for residents. He said: “Access to cash and face-to-face banking services continues to be important for millions of people across the UK." “Not everyone is able to go digital yet, so we’re pleased to announce new cash services to support Calne.
The scheme has also received back from James Gray, the MP for North Wiltshire. He added: "I am delighted that Calne has secured a banking hub, this follows the news that Royal Wotton Bassett has also secured such a facility. Banking hubs and banks provide important access to cash for the communities that they serve especially in rural areas. I know that this news will be welcomed by Calne residents, and I look forward to working with LINK to see the hub open soon.”
Contractors working on behalf are carrying out road resurfacing and associated works in a number of towns across Wiltshire.
You can also see the full list of all roadworks taking place in the county by visiting the One Network map and typing 'Wiltshire' into the search box.
Click on link to see 'One Network'
Wiltshire Council has updated on the emergency closure of the B4069 Lyneham Banks, caused by a major land slip that has damaged the highway.
The council has installed temporary signage to stop vehicles from using the route, and is currently sourcing bespoke signage to alert drivers of the closure well in advance. However, this signage may take a week or so to arrive.
The council is also considering other measures, including changes to the nearby single-track road known as Clack Hill, as it is not suitable for large volumes of vehicles.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: We apologise to anyone inconvenienced by the closure to the B4069 Lyneham Banks, and we are working quickly to improve the situation in the medium-term."
The road has suffered some major damage that will take a long time to fix, and at a significant cost that could run over £1m.
We're currently installing extra temporary signage to give people more advance warning of the closure, and we have more permanent signs on order to help drivers to avoid the area. We're also looking to change the use of Clack Hill to help prevent some of the traffic issues locally.
Restoring this road is going to take a very long time; we first have to establish the cause, and then the remedy. This is a major civil engineering project that could take into 2023 to resolve, so unfortunately people should be prepared for the closure to be in place for a long time to come.
An official diversion route is in place, and we would urge motorists to follow this route to avoid congestion. Access to local businesses has been maintained, and we'd encourage people to continue to support businesses that may be affected by this emergency closure.
This years village meeting was held yesterday (17th May) and was attended by 21 village residents
As well as a chance to air their views on local matters to Parish Councillors there were free drinks and nibbles and a very entertaining and informative lecture arranged by our resident bee keeper, Cllr Julian Barlow, given by one of the leading Bee Keepers in the UK – Richard Rickets – Editor of the national BeeCraft Magazine.
Richard lives in Corsham and, as well as writing about bees, looks after the apiary at Westonbirt Arboretum and has interviewed the Master Bee Keeper at Buckingham Palace. He had some interesting insights to share on bees in Wiltshire, their impact on farming, flora and fauna. It was a very interesting and informative evening. I look forward to the next one in 2024
The market town of Calne is about to find itself at the centre of an historic alignment that has never happened before in recorded history!
Late last year, geospatial history was made when true north, magnetic north and grid north combined at a single point in Great Britain for the first time ever.
They first made landfall over the village of Langton Matravers, just west of Swanage in early November and they will stay converged on Great Britain for the next three and a half years as the alignment slowly travels up the country.
According to calculations made by Ordnance Survey, magnetic north, true north and grid north are about to pass through Calne for the first time this month. After always being to the west of grid north in Great Britain the last few years have seen magnetic north move to the other side of grid north. The change started in 2014 at the very tip of Cornwall and is slowly moving west to east across the country. It is now reaching the ‘special line’ and will incredibly converge with the other two ‘norths’ for the first time in recorded history.
Dr Susan Macmillan, of the BGS geomagnetism team, said: “This is a once in a lifetime occurrence." “Due to the unpredictability of the magnetic field on long timescales it’s not possible to say when the alignment of the three norths will happen again.”
Mark Greaves, Earth Measurement Expert at Ordnance Survey, said: “It is no exaggeration to say that this is a one-off event that has never happened before. “Magnetic north moves slowly so it is likely going to be several hundred years before this alignment comes around again.
For further details of this unique and hitoric alignment, go to The Gazett & Herald
on Friday 22nd December bar opens 6:30 Curtains open 7:15
Chevy Chase National Lampoons
Wessex Water the urban issue of fatbergs and congealed waste near Compton Farm. Wessex Water investigations discovered our own mound of fat and non biodegradable materials blocking drains in the village.Foul water was also reported leaking into a local field. The message is please don’t put fat, nappies and baby wipes down the loo.
Speedwatch has been carried out here since 2011. At this time, around 10-20% of the traffic was going through the village at speeds of over 36 mph with top speeds of over 50 mph being quite common.
If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you may need to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) to restart their heart.
This St John Ambulance training video shows you what a defibrillator is and how to use an AED.
The big news is that Wi-Fi is now freely available for hall users. Superfast Fibre Broadband was installed at the beginning of May and means that internet connectivity will benefit a wide variety of people and businesses. It will also enable the hall to accept cashless payments for occasions where this is worthwhile.
Every village, town and city in the county places demands on Wiltshire Highways to fill in the ever-growing holes in our roads and we were pleased to see the workmen out in Compton Bassett earlier last week. It is not as good as road resurfacing but any work to improve our roads is appreciated.
The bench which used to be near the playground has been cleaned up and moved to a new position in front of the bus shelter, where we think it looks better and enhances the improvements already made to the corner of Briar Leaze/village road.
The independent traffic consultant who was commissioned by Wiltshire Council to ratify their view of recommending the parish councils proposals for better speed zones in the village, an extended 30mph zone and the 40mph to be taken out to the parish boundary near Breach Farm, has yet to submit his report
Parish Council Public Notices and Agendas of forthcoming meetings
Minutes of the last Parish Council meetings as yet awaiting approval.
Approved minutes of previous meetings of Compton Bassett Parish Council
Our church is now open again for regular worship, subject to some restrictions. The benefice parish office is still closed due to COVID
The monthly message from the rector or his helpers as appears in The Villages Magazine
The Bishop of Salisbury's thought for the month, taken from The Grapevine