Brief History and Update on the Road from the Public House
It is a managed highway, the responsibility of Wiltshire Highways.(WH)
The route clearly dates back centuries to Bronze and Iron Age times, but fundamental structure was provided under Roman rule.
This historical road structure was ruined by Wessex Water when they created a channel in the centre of the road for the main water feed from the reservoir tanks by the SE bowl.
The road condition continued to degrade as a result of erosion from use and weather that works on the weaknesses to the structure caused by the pipeline works.
In recent years WH have maintained the road with major support from WSRFC (WS) (of around £5K which included crowd-funding via BARCS and donations from club members) Minimal contributions from NT and others, none from Wessex. The outstanding undamaged piece of the work is the stretch from Morgans to the Kissing Gate that was basicilly provided by WS
Current works by WH have improved road from the other side to the tanks, and some remedial work to storm run-offs on the hill to Morgans.
The consensus of opinion amongst the committee is:
Any monies that are donated by WSRFC will end up being washed to the bottom of the Hill unless they are invested in infrastructure like drainage, which is unlikely to meet with NT agreement
However, we do want to continue to be able to use the road so we should work with WH and report back to Committee and Members should the need arise to either update or seek funds.
It was agreed at the Committee Meeting on 17th April that the remaining balance of the Road Fund (£392) be made available as a contribution to Wiltshire Highways for works recently completed. This facilitates WH application to the local parish for funding
D Bradfield 21st April 2019
