SWINDON council has been accused of not listening to the residents after plans for a new road were pushed through.

It is claimed the £4million tunnel and link road under the M4 the Croft Road link to Hay Lane has been given the go-ahead before the outcome of objections have been heard at a public inquiry.

Mrs Charmian Spickernell, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "This is a serious matter. It will have enormous consequences. You simply can't do it without going through the inquiry process.

"It's of enormous public interest and it all relates to 'is the council listening to the people?'

"What is the point of letting people have their say and not waiting for the report?

"It was only half heard. Is it responsible to pre-empt the local plan inquiry?"

On April 13 the inspector will be examining the Local Transport Plan aspect of Swindon's Local Plan.

It was expected that objections that have already been made about the Croft Road/Hay Lane/M4 Tunnel would be considered then.

However while the link road is part of the transport plan the item had already been considered on January 20 this year and given the go-ahead.

Gavin Calthrop from Swindon Council said: "This application went through rigorous consultation and statutory planning processes.

"It was approved by the council's planning committee and then referred to the Secretary of State as all such large-scale developments are.

"The Secretary of State's decision was that the planning committee could determine the application, so the approval stood.

"So while the link road may be the subject of objections as part of the Local Plan enquiry the planning decision cannot be overturned.

"Objections were given a hearing at the planning meeting of January 20.

"Any objections will not change the decision. The inspector has not got the power to overturn a planning decision that has been made. It's done and dusted."

Gareth Bethell