THE firm behind Wiltshire's major road schemes has slashed contracting jobs after running into problems building the Semington Bypass.

Ringway Parkman is contracted to undertake highways projects for Wiltshire County Council but has shed up to 50 workers in the past four weeks.

All the workers who lost jobs came from sub-contracting firms hired by Ringway Parkman for a number of projects in the region.

Plans for the Semington bypass suffered a setback in July after the contractors announced they needed an extra £750,000 to stop the road sinking.

The discovery of soft soil on the route of the bypass means the new road could sink unless deeper foundations are dug and more money is spent.

Wiltshire County Council is currently bidding for the extra cash from the Government.