At last year’s AGM, members were informed that Wiltshire Council intends to dual the stretch of A350 carriageway which passes the club’s grounds, and this work is likely to begin in 2024. The club considers that our current access, via a single track, unlit road is not fit for purpose and an improved access would provide significant safety, traffic, and environmental improvements for visitors to the club and our local community.

Members at the AGM supported a proposal for the club to investigate the feasibility of creating an access from the A350 carriageway. The club has formed a project team to lead this work and has sought advice from a firm of highways consultants. The advice received is that an in/out access, which is fully compliant with current highways regulations, is achievable and so we have now discussed our proposal with various interested parties including local residents, businesses, and councillors.

The next stage of this process requires the club to submit a formal planning application for an access and the club’s board has now approved this step. We are currently finalising our planning application, and this will be submitted to Wiltshire Council in the next 6-8 weeks. Although we are hopeful that this application will be successful, I must stress that planning approval for an access is not guaranteed.

Following the submission of our planning application, the club will require our members’ help as we will need to demonstrate a strong level of local support for this proposal to succeed. We will therefore be asking you to write to Wiltshire Council supporting the scheme and for you to encourage local family, friends, and neighbours to do the same. I will write to you again once the application has been submitted to explain how you can demonstrate your support.

This is genuinely a ‘now or never’ opportunity for the club to create a safer and much improved access to our grounds as, once the A350 dualling is complete, it is extremely unlikely that any future access proposals would be considered. We are conscious that creating a new access would be a significant undertaking for a ‘not for profit’ amateur rugby club and so our members will be fully consulted at each stage.

The board is certain that a safer and improved access will benefit visitors to our Allington Fields home, and the local community, for many decades to come. Our CRFC member surveys have indicated very strong backing for a new access and external groups have also expressed their support. However, we will all need to work together to secure planning approval and I will be back in touch shortly. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support.

Regards,

Ian

Ian Banister
Chairman
Chippenham RFC
chairman@chippenhamrfc.co.uk