A TEMPORARY link road dubbed 'Waste of £3.2 Billion Street' that was built to avoid a 30-mile diversion while railway bridges were upgraded in Royal Wootton Bassett could be kept.

The route between the A3102 and Marlborough Road was opened early in 2016 to take vehicles while the Broad Town rail bridge was rebuilt as part of Network Rail’s electrification programme.

It will be surplus to requirements once the Hunts Mill and Bath Road bridge upgrades are completed later this year.

When it was built people living nearby voiced fears that it would become a permanent feature and sought assurances from Network Rail.

But a planning application has been submitted to Wiltshire Council by landowner Oxford University Endowment Management, which wants to keep the road as an agricultural access and install gates at either end.

Agents Savills said in a planning statement said that retaining the road would mean farmers working the arable land bordering the road would no longer have to take their agricultural vehicles through the centre of the town.

They added: “Representatives of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council have stated that they would be interested in using the road for general through traffic during times when events mean that roads in the town centre are closed.

“This would strictly be on a temporary basis. However, this matter would be subject to further discussion at a later date as to its feasibility. The applicant is open to discussions regarding this matter.”

Separate from the application, if the road was eventually adopted, it would result in a route that would benefit traffic flow in the area, said the firm.

The application lodged last week can be seen on Wiltshire Council’s website. Consultation ends on March 2.