SURVEY work has begun on the proposed eastern bypass around Westbury, three months before the Government announces whether to bankroll the £16m scheme.

Tests on the water supply and the impact on the local environment are currently being carried out by county council contractors Ringway Parkman, Wessex Water and the Environment Agency.

Wiltshire County Council submitted a bid for the £16m road scheme in July and the Government will give its decision on whether to back the scheme in December.

A spokesman from the council said: "Before a planning application is submitted, various environmental impact tests and surveys have to be carried out.

"These are standard and take place before any major road building project or other significant development."

Two trenches have been cut into a field on the hill for the tests to be carried out.

Colin Little, chairman of the Westbury Bypass Alliance, has been campaigning against an eastern bypass. He said: "It seems they are trying to convince people the road is on its way, but we keep battling on."

If funding is secured a full public inquiry is expected.