The hot topic of conversation at Wednesday’s hustings between the Chippenham constituency candidates, was how the regeneration of Bradford on Avon would fit into their election campaigns.

Nearly 100 people turned up to the event at St Margaret’s Hall to grill candidates on a variety of topics, including immigration policies, public transport, social housing, child care and public sector spending.

The debate was chaired by Veronica Hannon and organised by BOA Business Forum.

One of the main topics of conversation was the traffic problem in the town.

While the candidates could agree it was a major issue, there was tension in the room as Conservative candidate Michelle Donelan accused Lib Dem’s Duncan Hames of not doing enough for businesses in the town who couldn’t vote in the recent Historic Core Zone poll.

Miss Donelan said: “Duncan has told us what he will do but what has he been doing as an MP for the last five years. I think the businesses should have had a say as they have invested interest in the town.

“The traffic is a problem in Bradford on Avon but I do not have the answers.”

But Mr Hames insisted it was Wiltshire Council who had taken Bradford ‘for a ride’ with the way it was handled.

He added: “I just wish that there was another town poll on why Wiltshire Council closed the youth centre in the town. When people in the town take on a project and try to move it forward they have to go through hoops to prove it will work.”

Tina Johnston, the constituency’s Green Party candidate, suggested a height restriction should be enforced to stop lorries coming though the town and causing chaos by getting stuck or knocking down signs.

She said: “Bradford on Avon is a unique and special town that needs to be sorted out.”

The town was also praised by the candidates for its independent businesses. Labour’s Andy Newman was hopeful that it would continue to be a thriving location and considered it the best in the constituency.

But when pressed about some of the negative aspects about the town, he added: “The solutions need to come from people living here.”

UKIP’s Julia Reid also added that the town prides itself on having a number of independent businesses but was concerned about the cuts local councils are facing and the impact this could have.

There was also a clash of opinions over support to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which is currently under negotiations between US leaders and the European Union.

It could see companies on both sides of the Atlantic to access each other's markets.