GAZETTE & HERALD: A vision for the future of Chippenham will be drawn up in a bid to ensure the town's continued vitality and prosperity.

Chippenham 2020 is the title of the project set up by Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, which hopes to draw in local authorities, landowners, local organisations and members of the public to find out how the future should unfold.

Working with North Wiltshire District Council, chamber members hope the document will be endorsed as supplementary planning guidance, which will be used for any future decisions about development in the town centre.

"We want to get lots of people involved with this. Then there will be a sense of ownership and it becomes more meaningful," said chamber chairman Martin Short.

The chamber is already in talks with Chippenham Town Council and North Wiltshire District Council as part of the process of mapping out a visionary future for the built environment in the town centre, because members believe this is key to the town's economic vibrancy.

The vision was born from various frustrations created by limitations in the town centre at present such as car parking, the local transport system, and a recognition that some parts of the town were not as well used or attractive as they should be.

"We've lost 200 car parking spaces in the town centre over the last ten years, and we lack an integrated transport system," said Mr Short.

"It has been suggested the Bath Road car park could be made into a multi storey, which might be a good idea because it has fairly good access to the town centre and the railway station," he said.

Members also believe areas of the town could look better, and improving the environment would be good for business, tourists and shoppers.

Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Gareth Jones highlighted the river as a superb asset but one that was much undervalued.

"The area along the river banks should be enhanced," he said.

Mr Short said: "The town needs to find out what it is. Chippenham is described as a market town but has no market."

Mr Jones added: "Bristol is booming, Swindon is improving. Chippenham does not want to be left behind."