PROTESTERS are expected to gather outside West Wiltshire District Council offices this morning as the row over a road through the Hilperton Gap steps up a gear.

The future of the gap has been under discussion for nearly 30 years and today anti-road protesters will get a chance to put forward their views to an inspector.

District councillor Steve Oldrieve, who lives at Springfield Close, said: "We want as many people to along as possible to offer support from the public gallery.

"There is a lot of opposition to the road, we have petition with several thousand signatures."

The public inquiry is an ongoing consultation process into the West Wiltshire district plan, which includes provision of a road through the gap, currently fields dividing Hilperton from Trowbridge.

There has long been a problem with the level of traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, that passes through the village and people living in Church Street and Hill Street have been campaigning in favour of a relief road.

Chris Roberts, secretary of the Church Street residents' association, said: "The roads were not made for that sort of traffic, they were made for horses and carts. We want a by-pass."

There are fears that, if the road goes ahead it could lead to further development in an area that has already seen the 1,100 home development at Paxcroft Mead.

These fears were fuelled in October when developer, Persimmon Homes (Wessex), said it would stump up extra cash for the road if it was given permission to build further homes at Paxcroft Mead.

Campaigners, whether for or against the road, have expressed their opposition to further development in this part of the town.

Richard Cooper, who is against the road, said: "This development would change the whole ethos of this part of Trowbridge.

"I can sympathise with people living in Church Street but all this is going to do is shift the problem from them to other people.

"It is a waste of time and money, all it is going to do is provide extra land to build more homes on, which are not wanted or needed in this part of Trowbridge."

Those who are to speak at the public inquiry have already been registered, but anyone can attend.

It will be held from 2pm at the council offices in Bradley Road, Trowbridge.