A LORRY that broke down at a busy junction brought the town's traffic to a standstill.

The breakdown, on the corner of Calcutt Street and High Street, in Cricklade happened yesterday morning at 10.30 am.

It is the latest in a series of similar incidents that illustrate the problems with HGV traffic in the town.

Margaret Griffiths, town clerk, said: "Only last Friday a lorry went up onto the pavement on the same corner and dislodged several paving stones.

"The lorries are too big to get round the corner. We are constantly getting damage in the High Street. We have had lorries hitting hanging baskets and one went into a cast-iron bin at the end of last year."

Only last week Mouchel Parkman, the consultants employed by Wiltshire County Council, held a workshop in the town. Residents from Calcutt Street, High Street, Purton Road and Common Hill were invited to the meeting.

Mouchel Parkman have been asked by the county council to come up with proposals to ease the town's traffic problems.

A campaign, backed by local MP Michael Wills, to stop heavy goods vehicles using the town's roads has been raging for years.

Mrs Griffiths said: "When Michael Wills called a meeting about the problem around 150 residents turned up because it is such a huge problem.

"The lorries are battering our infrastructure.

"As well as affecting the roads the pollution, noise and dirt are having a huge impact.

"This is why the town council is pushing to have a southern relief road so that the HGVs don't have to come through the town."

As well as last week's workshop for invited guests, Mouchel Parkman held an exhibition at the United Church last Friday and Saturday about traffic issues.

The company has agreed to prepare preliminary proposals based on feedback received at the workshop and exhibition.

The proposals are due to be submitted to Wiltshire County Council by the end of this month.

Dave Andrew