Camera to be installed to stop drivers rat-running

A traffic camera will be installed to catch out drivers illegally using a designated bus lane.

It comes following an increase in drivers using the route at Outmarsh to cut through the village of Semington.

Wiltshire Council said it is now taking enforcement action and will install the camera this month.

It added that during a recent traffic count, there were an average of 171 vehicle movements per day recorded passing through the bus gate, which far exceeds the number of buses that pass along the route.

The bus gate was installed in 2004 following the construction of the A350 Semington bypass, and is designed to prevent traffic using the old route through Semington village, while maintaining a through route for buses.

The request for a camera was made by the Melksham area Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG), which is financing the installation in partnership with Semington Parish Council.

LHFIG meet four times a year to discuss local highways issues and allocate funds to improve roads and footways in the area.

Councillor Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “This request has been backed by both Semington and Melksham Without parish councils to tackle a longstanding concern and to deter motorists from unlawfully using the bus gate."

It is hoped the camera will improve safety on the road and prevent drivers rat-running through Semington in an attempt to avoid congestion on the A350.

The penalty charge notice for any unauthorised vehicle ignoring the bus gate will be £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Any surplus income will be used to fund the council’s parking services.

Mr Clewer added: “We know that some people will claim that this is a money-making exercise.

"But we want drivers to abide by the traffic restriction, and if they do so there will be no fines and the road will be safer for the local community."

The camera is expected to be installed in June and will become operational shortly afterwards.

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