Rage at tunnel plan continues (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Rage at tunnel plan continues

Proposals for a tunnel under the M4 near Wootton Bassett seem set to go ahead despite ongoing objections from local campaigners.

The tunnel, which would link Croft Road with the Front Garden development, has been causing controversy in Wootton Bassett since it was first proposed in 2003.

The proposal was granted permission by Swindon Borough Council in January 2004 but campaigners say it is not certain until the legal agreements are signed.

Representatives from the Council for the Protection of Rural England; Swindon Urgent, which campaigns for the renewal of Swindon town centre; and local councils fiercely debated the tunnel during the Local Plan Inquiry last week.

Charmian Spickernell, of Swindon Urgent, said: "It seems they are not interested in what people are telling them and are just intent on bulldozing through what would be a planning disaster."

But a borough council spokesman said: "The campaigners have had their chance to make their objections and they have been heard but planning permission has been granted. The inspector can listen to the objections but he won't be able to change the decision."