CHAIRMAN of Trowbridge Community Operations Board Colin Kay is confident that Trowbridge Campus will happen, but has reminded residents it will take time to get it right.

Last week Wiltshire Council’s cabinet adopted a progress report on the campus programme, when councillors spoke about Trowbridge, along with Chippenham and Warminster, as an area where the development of a campus will form part of the wider regeneration of the town.

The meeting also heard campus schemes for Bradford on Avon and Westbury were being put on hold.

The council’s Economic Development Team are now working to produce a series of options for how the proposed facilities can be fitted on the preferred site, the land opposite County Hall where the redundant East Wing stands.

Mr Kay last week told the Trowbridge Area Board:: “We welcome Wiltshire Council’s decision to put the campus in the broader context of economic development. To be honest, in Trowbridge we have always seen the project as one piece in the jigsaw of the regeneration of the town.

“The timescale is not as quick as we would have liked, but at least now I feel we are moving forward again with a clear timescale.

“I am sure that many people will have forgotten about the campus completely or just given up hope.

“I can assure you that we have been working and will continue to work hard to make it a reality. We are talking about a very significant facility that will require a high level of investment. It is absolutely critical we get it right and if we have to wait a little bit longer to do so then I believe that will be worthwhile.”

“We are talking about a very significant facility that will require a high level of investment.”

Originally envisaged as a 15-year project, seven campuses, in Calne, Corsham, Cricklade, Melksham, Pewsey, Salisbury and Tisbury will all now be open within the next three years.