Hunters Wood & The Acorns
Melksham
RESIDENTS TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
Your Guide to Transport Options from Hunters Wood and The Acorns
WELCOME
Welcome to Hunters Wood & The Acorns
Welcome to Hunters Wood and The Acorns Travel Information site. This site is designed to assist in making your move as easy as possible.
It provides information on how to get around using public transport and other environmentally friendly methods to commute to work and school, or explore the area.
The Travel Guide Site
Hunters Wood and The Acorns are situated within walking distance of local schools, shops, pubs, cafés, restaurants and public transport links.
The Travel Plan
The Travel Information Pack is one of many measures included in the Travel Plan produced for Hunters Wood and The Acorns and agreed with Wiltshire Council.
The Travel Plan is a document which contains a package of measures to encourage you to try sustainable alternatives to travelling by car.
The Travel Plan can offer real benefits not only to you, but also to the community that surrounds you. It can help to relieve local parking and congestion problems and improve public transport connections across the area.
LOCAL FACILITIES
Hunters Wood and The Acorns are sustainably located within comfortable walking and cycling distances to local schools, shops, amenities and bus stops.
Schools
Melksham Oak Community
600m / 7 min Walk / 7 min Cycle
Queensway Chapel Nursery
1.2km / 14 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
Forest & Sandridge Primary School
1.5km / 19 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
The Manor Primary School
1.6km / 19 min Walk / 6 min Cycle
Local Amenities
Eastern Way Bus Stop
210m / 2 min Walk
Snowberry Lane Clinic
260m / 3 min Walk / 1 min Cycle
The Spa Bus Stop
350m / 4 min Walk
Spa Medical Centre
500m / 6 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
New Melksham Community Hub
600m / 7 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
Primrose Nature Area
600m / 7 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
Melksham Community Hospital
700m / 8 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
Gifford’s GP Surgery
800m / 10 min Walk / 3 min Cycle
Lloyds Pharmacy
800m / 10 min Walk / 3 min Cycle
Melksham Town Football Club
1.0km / 13 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
The Market Tavern
1.1km / 14 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
The Regency Dentist
1.2km / 14 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
Henry’s Cafe
1.2km / 14 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
Water Meadow
1.4km / 17 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
Casa Restaurant & Bar
1.4km / 17 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
Bowerhill Employment Area
1.5 km / 18 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
Haine & Smith Opticians
1.5 km / 18 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
Melksham High Street
1.5 km / 18 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
Waitrose
1.5km / 18 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
Co-op Food
1.5km / 18 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
Melksham Post Office
1.6km / 19 min Walk / 6 min Cycle
Melksham Cricket Club
1.6km / 19 min Walk / 6 min Cycle
Melksham Library
1.7 km / 20 min Walk / 6 min Cycle
King George V Park (Parkrun)
1.7km / 20 min Walk / 6 min Cycle
Sainsburys
2.0km / 18 min Walk / 7 min Cycle
Lidl
2.1km / 26 min Walk / 9 min Cycle
Asda
2.6km / 33 min Walk / 10 min Cycle
Melksham Train Station
2.8km / 34 min Walk / 10 min Cycle
WALKING
Walking is one of the cheapest, easiest and simplest forms of transport, which is boosted by there being a range of shops and services accessible within a short walk from Hunters Wood and The Acorns.
Walking offers the greatest potential to replace short car and public transport trips, particularly those under a two-kilometre distance. It provides a healthy alternative to the private car and also typically forms a component of many journeys made by public transport or by car.
Hunters Wood and The Acorns provide direct walking links, which connect to the local area. In the nearby area it is easy to walk to a range of local facilities with pavements and walking links provided along local roads, to ensure you can easily and safely walk around the town and access many local facilities on foot.
You can walk to a number of local facilities within a 30 minute period from Hunters Wood and The Acorns. Several bus stops are located in close proximity to the sites, with stops on Eastern Way and Spa Road. Melksham Town Centre is located approximately 2km from the sites, where a wide range of local amenities are located including several supermarkets, bars and restaurants, Melksham Post Office and a number of schools.
For more information on walking in Wiltshire, there is a wealth of information on promoted routes, health and fitness benefits and safety tips on the Connecting Wiltshire website:
connectingwiltshire.co.uk/walk
Are you not sure how to get from your home to work on foot? You could use Google Maps to plan your journey. The site gives you the route required with the time it may take:
google.co.uk/maps
Benefits of Walking
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Walking is a great form of exercise and can reduce the risk of heart disease;
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Walking is a completely environmentally friendly activity; and
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Walking is an important form of sustainable transport which costs nothing and offers a wide range of benefits to you and the community.
A GREAT FORM OF EXERCISE
And can reduce the risk of heart disease
COMPLETELY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Costs nothing and benefits both you and the community
CYCLING
Melksham and the surrounding area is a beautiful place to ride your
bike with a wide variety of scenery, historic buildings and designated
traffic-free routes.
You can cycle to all the facilities in Melksham Town Centre within a
20-minute ride, and access National Cycle Route 403 which passes
north to south through the Town Centre. National Cycle Route 403 crosses the North Wessex Downs and Savernake Forest, linking Chippenham to Marlborough.
A number of local schools, shops, sports facilities and employment areas are accessible within 15 minutes from Hunters Wood and The Acorns.
Explore your local community by bike!
We are encouraging families to get more out of life – by getting on
your bike and exploring the local community – either for an outing at
the weekend, a trip to the local shops, part of the school run, or a daily commute.
For more information on cycling in Wiltshire, there is a wealth of detail on promoted routes, health benefits and safety tips at the Connecting Wiltshire website, visit:
connectingwiltshire.co.uk/cycle
Your Local Bike Shop
Melksham Cycle Centre, 67 Bath Road, Melksham, SN12 8AD
Open:10am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday
Tel: 01225 709878
Benefits of Cycling
Cycling is sociable – it provides a fantastic way to share some time with friends and family;
Cycling is ‘green’ – you can feel good about doing your bit for the environment;
Cycling is quick – for short journeys under 5 miles cycling is usually the fastest way to get around – and you won’t get stuck in traffic;
Cycling is cheap – no bus, train or season tickets required;
Cycling is convenient – it gets you ‘door-to-door’, with a guaranteed arrival time; and
Cycling is fun – and helps you explore your local environment.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Why Public Transport?
Public Transport can be quicker, cheaper and more convenient than using your car and provides a significant environmental benefit. Using public transport can remove the stress of finding a car parking space, sitting in traffic and the costs of owning a car. Furthermore, you can travel to your destination while you relax with a newspaper or catch-up on social media.
BUS
Where are my nearest bus stops?
The nearest bus stops to Hunters Wood and The Acorns are located on Eastern Way and The Spa. Depending on where you are located within the sites, Eastern Way is located 210m away (2 minute walk) and The Spa is located approximately 350m away (4 minute walk).
Where can I go on the bus?
The stops on Eastern Way are served by the 14 and 15 services, while the stop on The Spa is served by the 271,272, 273, 555, SB2, U2 and X34 bus services.
To view the latest timetables, visit:
14
The 14 offers an hourly service Monday to Friday which forms the Melksham Metro Service.
272
The 272 bus service provides an hourly bus service Monday to Saturday between Bath and Devizes.
SB2
The SB2 forms the Seend Shuttle to Melksham and provides one service every Tuesday.
15
The 15 offers one service per day, Monday to Friday from Melksham Asda, which forms the Melksham Metro Town bus service.
273
The 273 bus service provides 5 services daily Monday to Saturday, with services every two hours on a Sunday between Bath and Devizes.
U2
The U2 bus service forms the Urchfont Community Bus to Bath via Devizes and comprises of 1 service every Tuesday.
271
The 271 offers an hourly service, Monday to Saturday, from Bath to Devizes via Bowerhill and Melksham.
555
The 555 offers is a school bus service which provides one service in the morning and one service in the afternoon to / from Corsham School
X34
The X34 provides one service every half hour, Monday to Friday, as well as a service every hour on a Saturday, to Chippenham via Trowbridge and Frome.
TRAIN
Melksham Rail Station is located approximately 2.8km north west of Hunters Wood and The Acorns and is accessible within a 10 minute cycle or 34 minute walk.
Melksham Rail Station lies on the TransWilts Line between Chippenham and Trowbridge and benefits from trains every two hours on weekdays to Swindon, Westbury, Trowbridge and Chippenham. On weekends trains run every two hours in each direction to Westbury and Swindon.
Melksham Rail Station offers 8 cycle parking spaces (located on platform 1), as well as ticket machines and step free access coverage. The station also provides 10 car parking spaces.
To check real time rail journey information from Melksham, visit:
ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/dep/MKM
For station facilities visit:
nationalrail.co.uk/stations/mkm/details.html
For ticketing queries, visit:
CAR SHARING
Travelling with other people by car is an easy way to cut your CO2 emissions and save money. By splitting costs with your fellow passengers you will save on fuel and parking fees.
Use your time as a passenger to read or catch up on work, and of course you won’t have to find a parking space.
For more information on local car share schemes visit:
liftshare.com/uk/community/wiltshire-council
connectingwiltshire.co.uk/getting-around/car/car-share/
Some Safety Tips if Meeting a New Car Share Buddy
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Avoid exchanging your full name or address before you've met someone.
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You're never under obligation to take a lift. If you don't feel comfortable, don't go through with the lift - even if it's been agreed.
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As with any activity that involves meeting new people, it's advisable to meet in a public place the first time. It's always a good idea to let friends and family know your plans too.
Benefits of Car Sharing
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Reduces travel costs;
A commuter who car shares with one person typically saves around £1,000 a year.
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Reduces wear and tear on your own vehicle;
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Helps reduce congestion;
If half of UK motorists car shared one day a week, pollution would be reduced by 10% and traffic jams by 20%
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Reduces stress levels related to driving; and
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Expands social networks.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are becoming more and more popular. Unlike conventional vehicles which burn petrol or diesel, EVs are powered by batteries just like your smartphone.
The main advantage of EVs is that they produce zero-emissions when you are using them. This means that they provide local environmental benefits including cleaner air and reduced noise in urban areas.
Today’s EVs have the latest cutting-edge technology and can drive
over 200 miles on a single charge, with some able to cover over 400 miles on a single charge - that’s the equivalent of Melksham to Edinburgh!
Did you know?
Every 2 minutes a new EV is registered on UK roads.
Why go electric?
Cheaper to Run
Compared to petrol or diesel, electricity is cheap. Per mile an EV could cost less than a third of what a traditional car costs.
Cheaper to Maintain
Compared to a traditional car, EVs have a lot fewer moving parts, with just three main components - the on-board charger, inverter and motor. This therefore requires far less maintenance and servicing is simpler, all of which saves you money. You'll never need to change the oil again!
Easy Home Charging
With an EV you will never need to go to petrol station again. Simply plug your car in when you get home to charge overnight and it's ready for you in the morning.
Better for the Environment
EVs have no tailpipe emissions, and don’t even have an exhaust. Even
when accounting for generating the electricity they use, EVs produce
significantly fewer emissions than traditional cars.
Quiet and Quick
EVs offer a smooth and quiet ride.
For more information on the benefits of electric vehicles, visit:
www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/benefits
To find your nearest EV charing point, visit:
HOME DELIVERIES
A wide range of major supermarkets offer home delivery services to
Hunters Wood and The Acorns, so why not save time, money and petrol and have your groceries delivered?
Asda
The nearest Asda superstore is in Melksham and is open 7am -10pm. A home delivery service is also available. Bradford Road, Melksham, SN12 8LQ
Morrisons
The nearest Morrisons stores are in Chippenham and Devizes, and are both open 7am - 10pm. A home delivery service is available. Cepen Park North, Chippenham, SN14 6UZ
Estcourt Street, Devizes, SN10 1LA
Morrisons groceries are also available via Amazon for Amazon Prime Members, which can offer same-day delivery on your Morrisons groceries.
Ocado
An online only supermarket offering a wide range of fresh groceries, essentials, toys and more delivered to your door.
Sainsbury's
The nearest Sainsburys superstore is in Melksham Centre and is open
7am – 9pm. A home delivery service is available.
Bath Road, Melksham, SN12 6LL
sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries
Tesco
There is a Tesco Superstore in Calne, open 6am - 11pm. Home delivery is also available.
Beversbrook Rd, Calne, SN11 9PU
Waitrose
The closest store is in Melksham and is open 8am - 8pm. A home delivery service is also available.
Bath Road, Melksham, SN12 6LP
Did you know?
Car travel for food shopping account for about 40% of all UK shopping trips by car, or about 5% of all car use in the UK!
RUN COMMUTE
If you’ve never heard of run commuting, then it’s exactly what it sounds like. People choose to run to and from work, rather than driving, getting the bus or using other modes.
It’s a trend that is growing in popularity too! In 2018, Strava recorded a 70% increase in run commutes compared to 2017, which itself was up 50% on 2016!
Running really is the perfect way to be more active – it’s free and you can start right outside your door! You can do it as little or as often as you like and, with run commuting you can fit it into your daily routine.
Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.
These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and they encourage people of every ability to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians.
Melksham parkrun starts every Saturday at 9am at King George V Park, Melksham SN12 7ED, approximately 2.3km to the north-west of Hunters Wood and The Acorns. For more information see:
Tips for run commuting
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Prepare the night before;
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Plan your route;
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Build up gradually to the full commute-hw about getting public transport half way and running the rest?;
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Buy a good backpack to carry everything;
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Invest in a good coat, reflective clothing and a light for the winter- be safe, be seen!
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Pack light to save weight;
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If it is safe to do so listen to some music or a podcast to help the miles fly by;
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Figure out your shower situation at work beforehand; and
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Find a goal to train for, or a running buddy to help you stay motivated.
HOME WORKING
Reducing the need to travel to work or during working hours can save time and money whilst benefitting the environment.
If you work from home just once a fortnight you are reducing your
commute by 10%, which saves you both time and money.
Studies have shown that people who work from home generate lower carbon emissions, reduce air pollution, use less petrol / diesel, use less paper, use less plastic and have a better work life balance, so why not give it a go? You may even find you are more productive as you’re not being interrupted.
Remote and flexible working allows you to balance your work and
home life commitments and leave you feeling great!
The Flexible Working Regulations 2014 give any employee with at least 26 weeks’ service the right to request flexible working arrangements from their employer. This may include reducing your hours to work part-time, changing your start and finish time, having flexibility with your start and finish time (sometimes known as ‘flexitime’), doing your hours over fewer days (‘compressed hours’), working from home or elsewhere (‘remote working’) or sharing your job with someone else.
For more information on requesting flexible working, visit:
USEFUL INFO
The Travel Plan Coordinator is available to provide you with assistance in relation to the way you travel and offer further information about sustainable transport methods available to you. You can contact the Travel Plan Coordinator using the following:
The Travel Plan Coordinator
Tetra Tech
90 Victoria Street
Bristol
BS1 6DP
Telephone: 0117 925 4393
Email: TravelPlanCoordinator@tetratech.com
For information on cycling visit:
www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk/cycle
www.sustrans.org.uk/map-ncn
Your local bicycle shops are located at:
Melksham Cycle Centre, 67 Bath Road, St, Melksham,
SN12 8AD
Tel: 01225 709878
For more information on cycling in Wiltshire, visit:
connectingwiltshire.co.uk/cycle
For bus timetables visit:
travelinesw.com
www.fromebus.co.uk
www.faresaver.co.uk
For rail enquiries visit:
nationalrail.co.uk
For rail station live times:
ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/dep/MKM
For station facilities:
www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/mkm/details.html
For ticketing queries visit:
www.thetrainline.com
For information about car sharing visit:
liftshare.com/uk/community/wiltshire
blablacar.com
For EV charging points visit:
www.zap-map.com/live
CONTACT
For Personal Travel Planning, or any Travel Plan queries, please contact Tetra Tech.