MP backs traders´ campaign

MP Claire Perry has backed a campaign by Marlborough Chamber of Commerce’s Retail Forum to sort out the traffic chaos that is gripping the town.

And traders are calling for the Mop Fair – traditionally held over two weekends in October – to be moved to The Common.

Retailers are angry that months of road works have seen trade slump by an average of 20 percent.

Ms Perry has written to Dick Tonge, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for Highways and Transport, highlighting traders’ concerns and stressing the need for joined-up thinking.

Her spokesman, James Earle, said: “She understands how the traffic restrictions have affected Marlborough’s shops and agrees the council has to get a grip on this.”

The Retail Forum is holding an emergency meeting at Waitrose on Tuesday, July 27, from 6.30pm to discuss the issue.

The forum is asking authorities to move the Mop Fair from its traditional High Street location to The Common, which will negate the need for two weekends of road closures in October, and will also speed up bridge-strengthening works at Pewsey Road – the cause of the current 40-minute tailbacks – by four weeks.

Retailers will also be discussing an incentive to lure shoppers back into the town and exploring Wiltshire Council’s Hardship Grant to cover some of the lost revenue.

Chris Birkett, who chairs the Retail Forum, said: “Quite understandably people are now keeping away from town as no-one wants to sit in traffic jams. This has had a huge effect on trade in the town and something needs to be done about it as a matter of urgency.”