Large craters discovered next to new roundabout

The gaping holes near the road next to the development site have been discovered by contractors and there is a possibility that they could also affect the 138-home development planned for the site.

The B3107 Holt Road from its western junction with Springfield until its junction with Cemetery Lane has been closed since the start of May to build the new roundabout.

Businesses have been hit hard by the road closures and the town's popular bike festival has had to be cancelled.

Mayor Alison Craddock said: "One can only hope that this will not cause further delays to the roundabout as everyone is rather fed up of it all. Although they say it will not be affected that remains to be seen.

"We were hoping it would have been completed before the civil war re-enactment on July 30-31 but that seems unlikely."

Developer CG Fry & Son began six months of infrastructure work on the site in January 2016.

CG Fry & Son land and planning director David Lohfink said: "We did uncover a discreet mine entrance earlier this month and we have agreed a plan with Wiltshire Highways to deal with this.

"The situation therefore remains as previously advised, which is that we will continue to work as hard as we can with Wiltshire Council to carry out the works and get the road closures lifted.

"Our contractor Tithegrove is responsible for the highway works, including the roundabout."

Tim Rogers, managing director of Anthony Best Dynamics, which is building a factory at the top of the development, said the firm was aware of the hole but it did not affect them.

"The site is actually an old quarry and we are aware of it because our car park backs onto it. In my opinion it is not going to affect the build, it is just affecting the road itself," he said.

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: "It is not a local planning authority issue. This would lie with the developers to conduct their own ground condition surveys."