NEW WALK-WAYS FOR SHIRES

After thorough investigation, the new manager of The Shires Shopping Centre in Trowbridge has revised some of the controversial speed ramps at the centre’s car park.

The traffic calming ramp on the slope to the lower level of the car park has been removed and the height of the two ramps at the entrance and exit to the Asda supermarket level are to be reduced.

As promised when he was appointed at the beginning of January, centre manager John Grinnell carried out a full investigation of the ramps.

Mr Grinnell said “I can understand why the new ramps were installed but although we have taken the latest steps we will continue to monitor the situation and keep it under review.

“We are putting up more 5mph speed limit signs to reduce the speed of motorists and to draw attention to the potential dangers to pedestrians.
“We can only hope that motorists will abide by these speed restrictions.

“We are also installing more pedestrian walkways to satisfy the needs of those people walking to and from their cars because we have to bear in mind that the car park is used by pedestrians as well as motorists.”

When he was appointed Mr Grinnell said: “I am aware of the concerns raised and I am not averse to listening to the public and if we feel there is a problem we will be doing something about it. The only thing we want to do is to make sure that when people walk around the car park they don’t get hurt.”

Four new humps were installed in the autumn but many motorists said they were in the wrong place, were too high and were not adequately signposted.

The former manager of The Shires, Steve Murray, said they were installed for safety reasons. They were within guidelines and were clearly signposted.

Mr Grinnell said he completed his investiation in consultation with Wiltshire Council’s environmental office for health and safety Fred Nutley and the owners of The Shires.

Mr Nutley said: “The former ramps complied with all the legal requirements but having walked around the car park and inspected them with Mr Grinnell, I can understand that some people were unhappy with their positions. I think it was the positions rather than the height which were causing the problems.”

He hoped the revisions would satisfy the needs of everyone.