COUNCILLORS are to review controversial plans for the Harnham relief road and Brunel link to the city's Churchfields industrial estate, it was announced this week.

The review is to be conducted by Salisbury district council's environment and transport overview and scrutiny panel, following the submission of the latest planning application for the scheme - and it will:

investigate whether or not the construction of a Harnham relief road/ Brunel link scheme is the best way of improving access to the Churchfields industrial estate and of removing associated heavy vehicles from the city centre;

analyse Salisbury district council's support for the scheme;

examine the views of both supporters and objectors to the scheme;

look at suggested alternative schemes.

A key part of the review is listening to organisations and individuals who support or object to the scheme.

Panel chairman Paul Clegg said: "Support for the construction of the Harnham relief road/ Brunel link is an important corporate policy for Salisbury district council.

"There are many who argue that the road is necessary for the future prosperity of Churchfields, and Salisbury generally.

"But there are others who believe the potential environmental impact should rule it out, or that alternatives should be considered.

"Whatever people think, we would like to hear from them."

The panel would like people to write to them, expressing their views on the road scheme.

During September and October, the panel will hear further evidence from invited witnesses.

In November, the first draft of the review group's findings will be published, with a final report and recommendations going to the council in January.

Anyone who would like to send their views to the review panel can write to Sara Draper at Salisbury district council, Council House, Bourne Hill, Salisbury SP1 3UZ, by no later than August 31.

The Brunel link has been a local development plan proposal since 1984 and the Harnham relief road/ Brunel link is part of the local transport plan, which was approved in 2000.

The proposals are designed to relieve traffic in Harnham and to redirect heavy goods vehicles away from the city centre en route to Churchfields.

The estimated cost of the project is about £19m and the proposed road would cross the River Nadder, which has international nature conservation importance.

Wiltshire county council is the promoter of the scheme and Salisbury district council is being formally consulted on this latest planning application, and is due to agree its response later this summer.