Wiltshire Council has confirmed that Calne High Street will be permanently reopened to traffic following the completion of an 18 month trial that started in February 2025.
The High Street reopened to southbound traffic on 17th February 2025, after being closed to vehicles for several years.
The experimental arrangement allowed Wiltshire Council to monitor the impact of reopening the road and gather feedback before deciding whether to continue with the scheme.
Wiltshire Council has now confirmed that all ETROs relating to the reopening have been made permanent.
Traffic will continue to travel one way from Wood Street towards Curzon Street.
The original reopening was intended to help improve traffic flow and air quality, while the scheme also brought changes to parking, loading and pedestrian arrangements.
One of the changes was the relocation of disabled parking to Wood Street, while barriers were installed along parts of the High Street as part of the new layout.
The trial has attracted mixed views, with concerns raised by some residents about the new disabled parking bays and pedestrian crossings.
Wiltshire Council says traffic monitoring during the trial found that traffic volumes on Wood Street had reduced, without causing significant displacement onto the wider road network. Journey times through the town centre also improved, with significant reductions recorded on some key routes.
The council says it will now work with Calne Town Council on improvements to the High Street, including replacing the existing barriers with street furniture more in keeping with the town and addressing concerns about pedestrians crossing the road.
The decision to make the opening permanent followed representations received during the consultation, which included responses from Calne Town Council, emergency services, the elected Wiltshire Council member for Calne and members of the public.
The consultation during the experimental period received 73 responses, with 40 supporting the proposals, 11 objecting and 22 providing general comments. A further consultation on additional restrictions received one objection.
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