There were times before the Second World War when airfields were built and the people living in the area were moved off with little or no compensation.

Today the idea that a road could be closed for six months and people could as a result lose their livelihoods and be left to sort it out for themselves is surely a thing of the past … or is it?

In Sherston one pub has been forced to close thanks to the diversions and delays over the raising of the railway bridges for electrification.

Shortly in Dauntsey local businesses are to face similar losses of earnings due to the loss of passing trade on the main road when their railway bridge is being worked on.

What is also clear is the lack of joined up thinking, for instance this is a golden opportunity which looks likely to be missed to widen the bridges at the same time, to allow safer passage for pedestrians and cyclists.

For the Skew bridges on the Royal Wootton Bassett to Calne main road, both bridges could be widened and heightened at the same time, to avoid the need for a further road closure for another six months in a few years time when the Bristol Parkway route is to be electrified.

The approach, known as ‘due diligence’, where all factors are taken into account before works are undertaken, seems to have been completely left behind by both Network Rail and Wiltshire Council and it is small businesses which are going to suffer most.

Today I visited a number of the Dauntsey, Bradenstoke and Lyneham businesses and heard first hand their fears over the impact the five months of road closure will have.

Compensation is a word that at times gets abused, but here surely there is need for it, along with a concerted advertising campaign paid for by Network Rail and Wiltshire Council, so that people know these businesses are still open for business, and which routes should be used to reach them.

Dr Brian Mathew, North Wiltshire Parliamentary candidate, Liberal Democrats.