GAZETTE & HERALD: CALNE Town Council has defended its plans to install a traffic-calming scheme in the town centre fafter criticism from traders.

But the town's Chamber of Commerce is still unhappy with the road works because of their effect on trade.

The town council said the scheme has been in planning for four years and full public consultation took place in 2001 with residents and businesses.

They acknowledged that people who may have recently moved to Calne may have been unaware of the scheme but said plans have been available in the Visitor and Community Information Centre in Bank House, Curzon Street.

Town clerk Ann Kingdon, said: "Everyone acknowledges that the installation of such a major traffic scheme will cause some disruption in the short term.

"Major traffic delays have disappeared since the junction works on the A4 were completed and traffic lights removed."

Features for the new scheme include on-street parking in Wood Street, wider pavement areas , enhanced street lighting, a safer pedestrian route into town from Curzon Street, and a new roundabout at the junction of Oxford Road and The Pippin. The town centre will also become a 20mph zone.

The council is also keen to point out that the town centre shops and businesses are open as usual and would welcome the support of the local community, particularly at this time.

Vice President of Calne's Chamber of Commerce, Paul Harris, who also runs Aladdin's Cave in Phelps Parade, said the road works are having an effect on trade.

"It's going to create a bottleneck getting into Calne," he said.

"I think it will take months if not years to get it back as it was."