A tunnel under the M4 would result in complete traffic chaos according to Wootton Bassett's Wiltshire county councillor Mollie Groom.

And Coun Groom is now concerned that Swindon Borough Council will sign the legal agreements for the proposed tunnel before hundreds of objections are due to be heard in April.

Coun Groom said: "A tunnel under the M4 will cause complete chaos and would have a very serious impact on the areas around Swindon. It must be opposed and people must be aware of what is going on before it is too late."

At a meeting of Wiltshire County Council Coun Groom presented a written report in which she said: "On January 20 at the Swindon Local Plan Inquiry Swindon Borough Council announced that the legal agreements in this regard would be signed within four weeks.

"Swindon Borough Council's course of action does not appear to be responsible."

Coun Groom, who has long campaigned for the retention of the Swindon rural buffer to protect Wootton Bassett, the Lydiards, Purton and Cricklade from the potential expansion of Swindon, is urging people to express their views on the Local Plan.

A copy of the plan can be obtained from Swindon Borough Council's planning department with any views sent to the Pilgrim Centre, Regent Circus.