GAZETTE & HERALD: Councillors fear the closure of a petrol station could lead to traffic congestion in Calne.

From the end of June, the Total garage on London Road will be closed indefinitely.

Some councillors believe fuel giant Total wants to sell the site for housing because that is more profitable than selling the garage to the present leaseholder.

The closure of the site could increase traffic congestion in the town centre as motorists drive to the BP garage on Oxford Road, through the bottleneck in Wood Street.

Motorists from Quemerford, south Calne, will have to drive right through the town centre and through two roundabouts, which are already heavily congested for several hours each day.

Ward councillor Tony Trotman said that Calne did not need any more housing developments at present.

He thought the closure of the petrol station would mean the loss of a great amenity.

"Another facility for the south side of Calne is disappearing. It is open until 10pm and sells food and is used by many people," he said.

Town councillor Cathy Bowyer said she first heard the land might be sold for housing at a town council meeting last week.

"I have not seen a planning application but I will be keeping my eyes peeled for it," she said. "I hope it is nothing too obtrusive for residents.

"The newsagent next to the garage is already three storeys and my biggest concern is that flats will be put on the site."

She is concerned that the closure will add to traffic congestion in town.

"We are creating traffic calming measures in town and this will make it worse," she said.

Garage leaseholder Alan Russell has offered to buy the site but has been told Total will not sell it until contamination is cleared.

"They had environmental tests on the site and they drilled down and analysed samples and found it was badly contaminated," he said.

"To safeguard themselves they would rather clean it up now before they sell it to anybody. They don't want to take the risk of it polluting the watercourse."

But Mr Russell believes that the site will not be offered to him even after the contamination has been cleared.

"I think it will be permanently closed," he said.

"The staff have been made redundant. It is quite a shame and a great loss for this end of Calne. It has been here since the day of the horse and cart."

After the garage closes Mr Russell will retire and continue his hobby of renovating old cars.

Town councillor Paul Atkinson said it would be a shame to lose the competition between petrol stations in Calne .

If the site were developed there would be even more residential properties right next to a busy road.

"Once there is a planning application it will need to be considered. Unfortunately we can only advise and the district council will be making the decision," he said.

A spokesman for TOTAL refused to comment on whether the site would be sold for housing.

He said: "Extensive surveys carried out by TOTAL have found that there is a level of contamination underneath the site. We are working closely with our contractors and the operator, and are taking whatever action is required to rectify the situation."