From : John Thorne

Charlton and Hankerton Quiz Night return on Sat 16^th May, 7 for 7.30pm, Charlton Village Hall. Questions, audio and scoring are by me, Philip Carter and Peter Wyman.

It’s always an enjoyable event. Tickets £15 in advance, includes hot supper and pudding. Bar available.

Contact charltonhall22@gmail.com, 07771 258424. Come as a team (max 8) or join one at the event. Proceeds to the Charlton Recreation Centre. If you have questions, please contact john.thorne@islington.gov.uk

From : Elizabeth Threlfall

I have just had a word with the officer who coordinates roadworks across the county.  He apologises for the disruption for Hankerton residents which will be caused by the Council’s work.  

However he says that the surface dressing on the Murcott Road is only going to take ONE day between 9am and 3pm on the 28^th April.

I asked whether we could have it rescheduled  but Wessex Water’s works are running to end August so extend for the whole ‘surface dressing’ season – ie if we postponed now, it would not get done this year.  Also it is a contractor from outside Wiltshire who is doing the surface dressing and comes in to do about 30/40 sites and then moves on elsewhere – so their schedule is not flexible.  The Crudwell to Eastcourt road will be done the following day (29th).  Surface dressing involves a bit of prep and putting down some bitumen across the road and then loose chippings on top (They return a while later to spray the surface with more bitumen)  

He promises that Wiltshire Council Highways are in contact with Wessex Water on this.

I have asked that they coordinate to sort out the most sensible diversionary routes for the 28th or give me a contact at WW.  

I appreciate this is still not ideal but at least this gives a clearer picture of the length of the worst disruption 🤷♀️and I hope it helps

Feel free to send any further questions and I will try to get an answer.

It’s getting quite complicated !

There are now 2 sets of roadworks to think about. The Wessex Water works from Cloatley Road towards Crudwell finishing at the Eastcourt turning and the road resurfacing from that turning through towards Crudwell.

Wessex Water
From Wessex Water :
“We would like to provide residents with an update on the road closure and outline what can be expected over the next few weeks.

The road closure was implemented on Monday and we hope it is now operating smoothly, with all diversions, signage, and traffic management measures fully in place.

This week we have been able to remain flexible with access arrangements, as we have been carrying out trial holes in preparation for the main excavation works, which will begin shortly.

The first section of the replacement works will run from the junction of Cloatley Road up to the Follyfield Estate junction. This section will be fully closed to all through traffic. Residents and properties located within this section are asked to access and exit their properties via Murcott Road, as access from the Charlton end of the scheme will be completely closed.

Physical barriers will be installed to prevent unauthorised access. Any attempt to drive through or over these barriers could result in serious and potentially irreparable damage to vehicles. We therefore strongly encourage everyone to follow the signed diversion routes and not attempt to drive through the closed section. These measures are essential to ensure the safety of our workforce, road users, and local residents. All properties within this section will continue to have access from the Murcott end.

Our first planned night-time water mains shutdown is scheduled for Tuesday 21st, beginning at 11:00 pm. During this time, we will be using a tanker infusion method to maintain a full water supply to all but one resident while we complete the initial connection to the existing water main. There will be some noise disturbance during these works, but we will do everything possible to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.

We would like to thank all residents for their patience and understanding while we carry out this essential project.”

Resurfacing Work At Murcott
Key points:
Tuesday 28th – Thursday 30th April

Hankerton residents north of the water main replacement work, who need to exit the village north and westwards, on those dates/timings will need to turn right at the junction up to Eastcourt and left in Eastcourt to Crudwell (and vice versa on return).

Murcott Lane closed Tue 28-Thu 30 Apr, 0930-1500, for surface dressing etc.
There’s a long email from the council about this that I’ll happily forward to anyone with insomnia but Michael has summed up the main points very well above.

I asked Wessex Water about this and here is their reply :
“This is all in hand with Wiltshire council. Our diversion will change to accommodate the works but yes that will be the access for residents. Unfortunately we only found about this a few weeks ago and will not be able to open the road back up as we will be in the middle of excavating so it just wouldn’t be safe.

I spoke to Wiltshire council and they have informed me it will be 28-29th April not 3-5 days. 

There are further works planned for Murcott a few weeks later but I am still getting confirmation .

Will update you early next week once I know more . “

I’ll keep updating everyone with what I find out.

It’s started !

I asked the Design Engineer (Jamie Prangle) for some background information and he’s been really helpful ! Here’s some of his comments :

“Excavation works will begin tomorrow, starting with two days of trial holes along the replacement route. After this, we will move down to the verge adjacent to Cloatley Road to begin excavations in preparation for the initial connection onto the existing water main.”

“Regarding the duration question, I completely understand why people are asking as it does sound like a long time to complete 1.2km of replacement. Due to the number of existing utilities already within the verges and highway—and the fact that we cannot downsize the existing water main—we’ve been left with very limited options. As a result, we’ve had to use a more traditional open‑cut trenching method instead of the trenchless technologies we normally try to utilise to reduce cost and programme duration.

We are using directional drilling to install the new main under the river, but unfortunately that is the only section of the scheme where this technique is suitable.

In terms of the overall scheme duration, it’s not just the pipe‑laying that takes time. The strict testing and chlorination procedures, reinstatement works, service transfers, and planned shutdowns all contribute significantly to the length of the programme.“

From : Steve Davies

Since the Hankerton Art Group was formed at Craig McCallum’s suggestion 11 years ago, we have occasionally held an exhibition of our work, for the interest of others who hopefully enjoy what they see.

It is also a way of bringing to peoples’ notice the existence of the group, so that those of an artistic bent can possibly consider joining the group, which meets once a fortnight, and enjoy some sociable company and two hours of productive and perhaps satisfying art time.

No particular experience needed, just enthusiasm for the subject, in whatever medium they choose. Speak to any member of the group if interested.

From : Shayne Smith

Here’s a summary of the roadworks that start on 7th April and will cause the road from Hankerton to Crudwell to be closed for 5 months.

5 months !….. made me think…

2.4 km Road Repair (6–9 Hours): In December 2025, workers in Beijing repaired a 2.4-kilometer stretch of the busy Fourth Ring Road overnight. They laid 8,000 tons of asphalt in just six hours, completing the entire project within nine hours to avoid daytime traffic jams.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUS SERVICE

We have discovered important information about the bus service in Hankerton. Wiltshire Council have made the decision but not yet formally announced it, however when one Hankerton resident telephoned them to ask about the bus service during the 22 weeks of water main work he was told this news.  And I have checked and it was confirmed to me.  So it’s best now to get it out into the open.

The decision is that the regular timetabled bus service through Hankerton is to be discontinued, with effect from 7 April this year.  Not just during the water main work, but permanently.  Evidently the average number of passengers on our route is the deciding factor.   Instead Hankerton will be served by the Wiltshire Connect service.  And incidentally this applies to all the villages on the Route 93, including for example Charlton.

Wiltshire Connect is a flexible bus service that operates in parts of rural Wiltshire. You can book your ride in advance up to 7 days ahead and on the day with 30 minutes notice (subject to vehicle availability).  It costs the same as the scheduled bus services do – currently ?2 or ?3 per journey and free bus passes are accepted too.  To find out more look up this internet link https://www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk/royal-wootton-bassett-malmesbury/ .  Ands note that the service can take you to the Great Western Hospital, and also to Cirencester although this is not shown on the map on that website.

Note also that to advertise this new service a staffed Wilts Connect bus will be in Cross Hayes on 26 Mar, hours approx 10-3, to provide answers about the service offered.