A RESIDENTS group has hit out against parts of the Melksham Bypass proposals, claiming that one option paves over important wildlife habitats.

Save Melksham's Wildlife is criticising Wiltshire Council over option 10D.

The consultation asking the public for their views on the 18 Melksham Bypass options has now ended.

Richard Kendall, 45, who works in environmental sustainability from Littleton from the group said he was worried because option 10D crosses the Kennet & Avon canal and Semington Brook.

An option Mr Kendall says would pave over the homes of at least nine protected species – including otters.

His main fear is that the option, he believes, compares badly against option 10C, which has far less of an environmental impact.

Mr Kendall said: “We will look back at this period of time when we have trash the environment and go ‘what on earth were we thinking?’”

He says he would rather the council build out option 10C stage by stage to meet demand. This would mean creating dual carriageways at the southern end of the connecting road to meet any future traffic growth.

“Why would dualling the southern portion of 10C not be a silver bullet to all of this?” added Mr Kendall.

“There’s no conceivable argument to why you would go through beautiful habitats.

“It will come in cheaper than 10D without any of the negative impacts.

“There is no environmental impact and there’s already a road there.

“The other is cutting across pristine countryside with otters, voles and bats.”

He says that in the consultation papers both options are presented as being similar, which he believes means they have not generated a true response from residents.

“They could not be more different,” he said. “One is a fast road and the other is Otterville. Why are they comparing them?”

Cabinet member for highways Cllr Bridget Wayman pointed out the council is exploring the options for the potential case for a new bypass around Melksham.

She said: “At this stage, all route options are indicative and should be considered as corridors rather than exact routes.

“If and when a preferred option is decided upon, the specifics of the route would be subject to full statutory consultation and would require planning permission.

“A full environmental impact assessment would be undertaken as part of the planning process.”

Cllr Wayman said that route 10C and 10D were similar, but had key differences at the southern end of the plans in how the route ties in with the A350.

She added: “All options will be assessed in accordance with the Department of Transport’s methodology and guidance, which is a standard approach to assessing major transport schemes of this type.

“The analysis will inform the development of the outline business case, which will address the strategic, economic, financial, management and commercial aspects of any proposed bypass.”