LONG-AWAITED plans to revitalise Westbury town centre are still in the pipeline years after it started to decline.

Mayor Bill Braid said it is time for less talk and more action to bring shoppers and traders back.

Numerous studies have been completed over the years, including a report written in 1998 by chartered surveyors, Donaldsons, for West Wiltshire District Council. They have all come up with improvement strategies, but little has been done.

Cllr Braid said: "We need to look at the town centre to improve its viability and vitality. It must be made more attractive to bring in more shopkeepers.

"People are talking themselves round in circles. I don't believe another report, which is not significantly different to any other, will make much difference."

Cllr Braid is unhappy about plans to enhance shopping areas in Trowbridge, Melksham and Warminster because there is nothing for Westbury, despite calls from traders for more investment.

He said: "It is treated like the poor house of west Wiltshire. Westbury is a nice place with real character, and I'm totally committed to the town. But unless something is done it will go downhill."

Town councillor Russell Hawker has put forward plans which include re-

connecting all of Edward Street as a two-way road, putting parking spaces back into High Street and reversing the one-way flow of High Street.

His proposal for the setting up of a working group to take a detailed look at the problem was rejected by civic leaders.

Cllr Braid will now set a date for a special meeting, so the council can form an action plan.

He said: "I basically agree with what Cllr Hawker proposed, and I have agreed on the principles for years.

"Cars are a fact of life and Westbury must accommodate them safely. The road system must be linked up as the town is split into three parts.

"Not much work and little cost would be involved in making small improvements that will go a long way. Parts of the town are hidden by brick rotundas. If these were changed, shoppers would be able to see more of Westbury."

A lack of money means plans such as rebuilding parts of High Street would not get the go-ahead.

Cllr Braid said: "On average, people only spend eight minutes shopping in Westbury. We have to compete with Trowbridge, Frome and Warminster and it is too easy to bypass the town. This must change."