BUILDING 158 houses on former allotment land at Spitalcroft will result in a column of traffic two kilometres long along the already congested London Road, a public inquiry was told.

Resident John Smallshaw, who has a background in transport distribution, said that many people likely to buy homes at Spitalcroft would find the home to work journey beyond reasonable walking distance.

Cycling and public transport were unviable alternatives, he told the inquiry last Wednesday.

Mr Smallshaw referred to two traffic surveys carried out by Save Our Spitalcroft, a community action group opposed to the development.

The surveys, carried out in 2000 and 2004, showed that, even over this short period, traffic in the area had increased by up to 25 per cent on some roads as drivers sought to avoid queues along London Road.

He said the proposed development at Spitalcroft could only exacerbate an already unbearable situation.

Save Our Spitalcroft's evidence claims to show that 158 homes would generate at least 200 vehicles.

Allowing ten metres of road for each vehicle would create potential for a two-kilometre column of traffic exiting on to local roads at peak hours.

But David Mason, a traffic consultant appearing for developers Robert Hitchins Limited, said that the development would cause a minimal increase to traffic along London Road.

He told the inquiry that traffic surveys on roads adjacent to the site and on the major highway network showed that the capacity of these roads is not exceeded.

He said that the queues and delays along London Road are not untypical of urban areas.

He told the inquiry: "The site is close to employment and education opportunities. Links to these facilities on foot, by bicycle and on public transport are good."

He said he would be surprised if people took the car from Spitalcroft into the town centre, but resident Bob Shergold said that was exactly what they would do.

Mr Shergold asked: "Why are you saddling Devizes with a worse problem than it has already?"

The inquiry, due to end last Thursday, has been adjourned until February 23 to hear evidence from Hitchins' planning expert, Mervyn Dobson.