Study to decide route for canal

The £6,000 study, which will look into the possible environmental effects of bringing the Wilts & Berks Canal through the town, was due to start this week and the results are expected in September.

The Environment Agency will examine them carefully before giving planners the go- ahead but there are worries the £100m project could create flooding problems.

Town councillor Colin Goodhind, member of the Wilts & Berks Canal/ Melksham Working Party, said the campaign had reached a critical stage.

"If the Environment Agency decides that any problems cannot be overcome then we would have to look at an alternative route," he said.

"We are confident the Environment Agency will look at it positively rather than blocking it."

Decision-making over the route has already sparked controversy but landowners were in favour of the canal passing through the town alongside the River Avon.

Cllr Goodhind admitted there was still a delicate consultation process to go through.

"Nothing has been decided. There will be more consultation and there will be a real effort to listen to people's points of view," he said.

Campaigners realise time is running out so are eager to get their ideas in place before plans go through.

Cllr Goodhind said: "Time is ticking. We are not holding up the project at the moment but there may come a time when we do."

For over 30 years, the Wilts & Berks Trust has been pressing for the canal to be restored.

It commissioned a major engineering study to determine the best route at Melksham.

Cllr Goodhind said the Town Route would bring benefits similar to the ones Bradford on Avon residents enjoy.

"It would be tremendous for Melksham," he added. "Our town centre has more to offer than Bradford and everybody wants to see it happen on a route that most people favour."

Melksham First is holding a Waterways Conference in October to discuss the best ways of utilising the town's river.