Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide

HGVs could face permanent ban on Wiltshire's 'wonkiest road'

By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published

Illustrative stock photograph; not a verified image of the reported event or person
Illustrative stock image (Pexels); not a verified photograph of the people, place or event reported.

Wiltshire Council is consulting on plans to permanently ban heavy goods vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes from sections of the B4069 and surrounding roads in the Lyneham Banks area, following concerns over the route's stability.

Wiltshire Council is proposing a permanent ban on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighing over 7.5 tonnes from several roads in the Lyneham Banks area, including the B4069, known nationally as 'the UK's wonkiest road'. The consultation, which closes on November 2, aims to address ongoing concerns about the stability of the route following a significant landslip in 2022.

The affected routes include sections of the B4069, Hollow Way, Clack Hill, Bowds Lane, Trow Lane, and Cheeseley Hill. Residents, businesses, and road users are being urged to submit their views on the proposed weight restriction.

Lyneham Banks gained notoriety after a dramatic collapse in 2022, which left parts of the B4069 severely twisted and buckled. This event led to the road's closure between Lyneham and Clyffe Pypard and necessitated a £5 million engineering project to stabilise the hillside. The road was eventually reopened in 2025 after engineers installed a substantial retaining structure.

However, fresh concerns emerged earlier this year when new cracks appeared in the carriageway. While Wiltshire Council stated the road remained safe, the discovery prompted further inspections and has reignited discussions about the long-term impact of heavy traffic on the slope's integrity.

The proposed restrictions would prevent vehicles exceeding the 7.5-tonne limit from using the specified roads, with potential exemptions to be detailed in the consultation. This move follows repeated concerns raised by local residents about the volume of HGV traffic in the Lyneham Banks vicinity.

Details of the consultation, including the full proposal documents, are available for public viewing at Royal Wootton Bassett Library and Wiltshire Council's County Hall in Trowbridge. Comments can be submitted via email to TrafficOrderConsultations@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Source: Gazette & Herald — Chippenham · View original