It would be difficult to imagine a statement more perfectly worded to illustrate the problems we face in Milford and Laverstock. Had Mr Holder taken residents’ concerns seriously he would have spent a few minutes on basic-level research before offering his asinine response. His Council conducted a traffic survey in July 2011 and recorded an average of 3715 vehicles per day using Milford Mill Road (MMR). Highways organised another traffic survey in July 2021 and recorded an average of 5199 per day using MMR; this represents an increase in traffic volume of 40 per cent in ten years.
Mr Holder, we have had an abundance of surveys – and false promises. Enormous efforts have been made by the MAPG over the last 44-years to gather the evidence to persuade Wiltshire Council to fulfil their duty to local people.
I offer one further example. In a letter of July 2010 sent by Parvis Khansari (the then Service Director for Strategic Services) to a resident of MMR, he asserts that the Petersfinger Park and Ride would not change the traffic levels on MMR: “Notwithstanding this, we gave a commitment to monitor this situation and if it is found that traffic conditions are significantly altered, we will introduce measures to minimise any impact.” We are still waiting.
It is the news that the A36 will not have the planned improvements for at least 10 years that triggered the latest campaign. As reported, only two Councillors from the two Area Boards attended the specially convened meeting on December 18. Faced with such little Councillor support, and despite the evidence provided and in the face of the heartfelt and well-informed statements made by all six MAPG members, the Highways Officers were able to either dismiss out of hand the traffic mitigation measures suggested or fob us off with yet another traffic survey.
Residents have not been well served. The MAPG did all that was asked of us by Salisbury Area Board and were promised a full hearing by Councillors from both Boards. That did not happen; and the people of Salisbury deserve better.
David Lovibond,
Chair,
Milford Area Preservation Group
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