Quiz the experts on M-way tunnel (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Quiz the experts on M-way tunnel

Charmian Spickernell speaks against the Front Garden planning application at the Wyvern Theatre last year Picture Ref: 28776-29A CONTROVERSIAL tunnel under the M4 as part of the Front Garden development will be discussed today at a public meeting.

The meeting, organised by the Campaign For Rural England will look at the Croft Road to Hay Lane Link proposed tunnel under the M4.

Members of the public will also have the chance to question councillors and members of organisation which have been involved in the process.

Traffic congestion, the impact on the environment and noise pollution will be just some of the topics up for debate.

Charmian Spickernell, the vice-chairman of the CPRE said: "Communities are very interested in what happens in their area.

"They need to be informed and to be able to participate.

"Unfortunately the record over Coate Water and the Front Garden is one which reveals little account being taken so far of the public's attempts to become involved.

"With about 25,000 signatures on the petition to save Coate, the voice of the people cannot be ignored.

"We hope many people will come to the meeting in Wootton Bassett and help to press for change."

Lady Inchcape, of Clyffe Pypard, helped form a local group, which brought in an independent road engineer, hoping to demonstrate the feasibility of an alternative southern relief road.

The group has delivered 5,000 leaflets in a bid to raise public awareness of the issue.

She said: "The conditions for the new road still have to be met, particularly with regard to junction 16 of the M4.

"There are to be 4,000 new houses in the Front Garden but how will the roads cope with all the new traffic this will create?"

Farmer Angus Ivory is to chair the panel, which organisers believe will represent different viewpoints on the scheme.

Each member of the panel will be given two minutes to put their views across.

Speakers will include George McDonic, the chairman of CPRE Wiltshire; Swindon councillor Nick Martin and Alan Hayward of the Swindon Civic Trust.

Lady Inchcape said: "We're hoping to get a really good discussion and find out why this route was chosen."

The meeting will take place at 6.45pm at the Memorial Hall in Wootton Bassett.

Dave Andrew