Wiltshire Council is pleased to announce the official opening of the new Melksham Oak footpath and cycleway.

The newly completed shared-use path, which forms the first phase of a wider connectivity project, provides a vital link between Melksham Oak Community School, the Woolmore Farm development, and the surrounding East Melksham area.

 At more than three metres wide, the path offers a safe and welcoming route for both pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging safer passage to and from school for pupils of Melksham Oak School.

Seating and planters will be installed along the path over the next six weeks and will be in place in time for the new school year.

Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “There have been some challenges along the way to building this shared-use path, but we’re pleased that we can now celebrate its opening.

 This project is a step forward in our commitment to creating safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly travel options for Wiltshire residents, and this path will benefit students, residents, and visitors alike, providing healthier and more sustainable travel options, and enabling more people to leave their car at home should they wish to do so.”

Phase two of the project, which will extend the path from Woolmore Farm to the A365 Bath Road, is being led by the housing developer as part of the wider Woolmore Farm development. The council looks forward to seeing this next phase progress in due course.