Police clamp down on Burton Hill A429 speeders in Malmesbury

Officers have been conducting speed checks on the A429 road through Burton Hill in Malmesbury over the last few weeks following multiple reports of excessive speeding in the area.

Disgruntled residents living either side the road have been demanding action from Wiltshire Council to change the speed limit to protect other road users for years.

Many were worried about accidents occurring when they were exiting or entering their properties, especially those living in Storey Mews.

Concerns were also raised about the safety of families moving into the nearby White Poplars estate - which is currently under construction - who will all have to exit the estate to get to the A429  via the Storey Mews entrance.

Storey Mews entrance from the A429 (Image: Google Maps)

St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council finally persuaded Wiltshire Highways at the end of last year to consult on the request to extend the 30mph restriction further south. 

There was overwhelming support for the consultation so the change was enacted in June.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport for Wiltshire Council, said: “The extension to the 30mph speed limit was prompted by concerns raised by the parish council over the speed of traffic passing the Storey Mews access on the A429, and the increase in the use of that access as part of a further development that is under construction.

"The development proposals included an obligation under a Section 106 Agreement to fund a Traffic Regulation Order to extend the 30mph speed limit, and as such were funded by the developer.”

Map of the 30mph zone extension on the A429 road through Burton Hill, Malmesbury (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Neighbourhood police officers have helped enforce this change by conducting regular speed checks in the area.

Malmesbury Police posted pictures of these patrols on its Facebook page on Wednesday, August 23.

A spokesperson for Malmesbury Police said: "The local neighbourhood policing team have been checking speeds on the A429 Burton Hill Malmesbury and A429 Corston in August.

"This is following the extension of the 30mph zone on this road. 

"Local councillors and residents have raised concerns over the excess speed in the area and spoke to some whilst on site.

"The team will continue to revisit these areas regularly."

Malmesbury neighbourhood policing officers out conducting speeding checks on Wednesday, August 23 (Image: Malmesbury Police)

Chair of St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council Roger Budgen is 'delighted' with the 30mph zone expansion and hopes this can be replicated in other problematic areas such as the B4042 from the Priory roundabout.

He said: “The council and local residents are delighted that the long-awaited southerly extension of the 30mph speed restriction on the A429 at Burton Hill has been implemented.

"Hopefully with the help of regular police education/enforcement sessions and the future installation of parish council funded speed indicator devices, there will be increased adherence to the 30mph restriction along this stretch of road which will improve the highway safety environment.

"There is a similar issue of excessive speeding along the B4042 from the Priory roundabout to passed Cowbridge bridge which the council hope to address, again in partnership with Wiltshire Highways, once the present road works just to the east of the roundabout have finished."