I’ve been asked to pass on a couple of items from Wiltshire Council’s latest Highways and Transport Newsletter, so I thought I’d share them here as they’re particularly relevant to village life – especially the school run and our wonderful network of footpaths.
In other words, this is officially forwarded information rather than me suddenly developing a career in highways management! Anyone brave enough to take that particular career path in Shrewton is a considerably braver person than me! 😂
🚗 School drop-off parking
Wiltshire Council is reminding parents and carers to park safely and considerately outside schools.
Inconsiderate parking can obstruct visibility, create hazards around school entrances and make it difficult for residents and emergency services to get through.
Their suggestion, where possible, is to walk or cycle to school. If driving is necessary, consider parking a little further away and walking the final part of the journey.
Which, in fairness, also has the added benefit of avoiding that wonderful five-minute period when half the village is attempting to park within approximately three feet of the school gate. 😂
🚶 Public Rights of Way
Wiltshire also has a useful reminder about public rights of way.
These aren’t simply convenient muddy shortcuts – they are legal highways which people have the right to use throughout the year.
There are four main types:
🥾 Footpaths – for walking, including use by mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
🐴 Bridleways – for walkers, mobility scooters and wheelchairs, horses and cyclists.
🚲 Restricted byways – for walkers, mobility scooters, horses, cyclists and non-mechanically propelled vehicles such as horse-drawn carts.
🚗 Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) – which can also be used by wheeled vehicles, including cars and motorbikes.
So if you’re out walking around the village and countryside, it’s worth knowing what sort of route you’re actually on — and remembering that other people, horses, cyclists and mobility users may have the same legal right to be there.
📖 Read the full newsletter
You can read the full Wiltshire Council newsletter here:
Wiltshire Council – Highways and Transport Newsletter
And if you’d like to receive future updates directly from Wiltshire Council, you can sign up for their newsletters here:
Sign up for Wiltshire Council newsletters
Now I’ll leave you to read the official stuff – and carry on doing my best to make it sound a little more interesting than the original council newsletter probably intended! 😂
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