RESIDENTS in Warminster came out in force to oppose a plan which would turn the development of a link road via Avenue Lane into a link road to the town centre.

which has been proposed in the Neighbourhood Plan.

The proposal in the Neighbourhood Plan shows a link road built between Portway and the central car park in Warminster as part of the campus development.

More than 40 people attended the action day on Friday, which was led by resident Tracy Scott who uses the lane, currently, a no-through road used by many people to walk into town every day.

“My daughter has mobility issues and we live in Portway Street so it is an everyday route to the town,” she said.

“We live near disabled people that have MS who use it and so do dog walkers and children going to the school.

“I’m a carer for my daughter, but how am I supposed to get her anywhere if this road is built. The pavements are so bad already and I can’t be expected to take her around the town to get to where we want.”

The 44-year-old collected 73 signatures, taking her total to more than 300. The mum-of-two believes the proposal was added into the plan at the last minute and has not been given enough thought.

“I think it was put in last minute by Wiltshire Council for their own purpose and vision they have for Warminster,” she said. “I wouldn’t have known anything about it if it wasn’t for a leaflet that came through my door.”

A number of councillors attended the protest, including Paul Batchelor who believes the idea of building a road is completely inappropriate.

He said: “In a time and age that the car doesn’t go hand in glove with towns and places are reducing the speed limit, what sane person would build a road that goes past the school gates?

“The Avenue has always been a pedestrianised area, so it’s just inconceivable that someone would want to route a road through there." because we should be thinking about taking cars out of the town centre.”

Cllr Batchelor believes that despite the proposal being inappropriate, it wasn’t placed into the plan at the last minute but is supportive of Mrs Scott’s efforts.

“This is fantastic grass roots activism by someone who isn’t a politician and doesn’t have an axe to grind,” he added.

“Looking at the plan I can understand why people might think that it was added in at the last minute but I wouldn’t have thought it would have been snuck in, I don’t think that’s the case it’s just an ill-thought out plan.

“Half the council were at the protest saying this is madness so we’ve just got to hope the others come on board and vote against it.”

Warminster’s Neighbourhood Plan consultation is until May 8.