Wiltshire Council says people accessing a ripped-up road are putting themselves at serious risk of harm – as well as breaking the law.
The B4069 at Lyneham Banks was officially closed to all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, after a “significant landslip” caused serious damage.
The road – which looks as if it has been hit by an earthquake – made for the perfect skatepark and bike track. In fact, footage soon emerged online showing people using the site for exactly that.
Now, Wiltshire Council is telling people to stay away from the location because the road surface and ground below it is still moving.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The B4069 at Lyneham Banks is extremely dangerous, and people should not try to access it either in a vehicle or on foot.
“We have installed fencing and signage on site, but some people are choosing to ignore this and access the road. I want to make it clear that this is a very dangerous thing to do.
“The land is still slipping, and anyone who accesses the site on foot could easily trip on the uneven ground or get caught in a more serious landslide.
“Anyone who accesses the site is also in breach of the Traffic Order and could be prosecuted.”
Accessing the road would constitute a breach of a Traffic Regulation Order, a law under the Road Traffic Regulation Act.
The council has started to install permanent signage to inform road users of the official diversion route, which follows the A3102 and the A4. These signs should be in place by Friday 25 March.
On nearby single-laned Clack Hill in Bradenstoke, which is being used by a significant number of motor vehicles and is unsuitable for this traffic, the council has implemented a 7.5t weight limit and signage to advise drivers of ‘no through road’.
Given the scale of the damage to the road, it is not likely to reopen this year.
