Temporary changes made to Hook Street

Temporary changes were made to Hook Street yesterday to help reduce the large number of vehicles that have been using the road during the ongoing M4 Junction 16 improvement works.

Hook Street, which links Whitehill Way in West Swindon to the village of Hook, now has a ‘No Entry’ restriction after the entrance to Lydiard Park.

The restriction means that vehicles travelling westbound towards Hook will not be able to proceed beyond the park. A no right turn restriction will also be in place at the park’s entrance. Access to Lydiard Park will be maintained throughout.

The 7.5-tonne restriction will also be extended to the junction of Whitehall Way.

The measures have been put in place as part of a trial until 30 November due to concerns over safety and congestion on Hook Street due to the increased number of motorists using this road as work continues on Junction 16.

Local residents have also expressed concern about congestion on the road, particularly as a result of the small number of passing places on the narrow country road. It is hoped the changes introduced as part of a trial will significantly reduce the problems experienced by local residents and motorists.

Cllr Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Place, said: “These changes will be monitored throughout this trial to see if improvements to traffic levels have been made.

“It is hoped that implementing these changes will help to ease some of the congestion which this road has faced as a result of the improvement works currently underway at Junction 16."