THE restriction on councillors' attendance at this Friday's public meeting at the Civic Hall (7pm), seems yet another extraordinary move in the Gap saga.

RIP Rural Buffer- victim of stealth and double talk?

P FOWLER

Trowbridge

WEST Wiltshire District Council and planning committee are a disgrace to the community they supposedly serve.

A closed meeting of West Wiltshire District Council planning committee to 'discuss' the Hilperton relief road planning application only fuels the belief that this council is hiding something.

Now I read that Cllr Steve Oldrieve cannot represent the ward he was elected to serve or even attend the meeting to be held on January 28.

Is this the way the chief executive is running our council secretive, undemocratic and no leadership?

No wonder we have such a low opinion of local government.

MR TT BARNES

Trowbridge

WITH regard to the planning meeting for the Hilperton Relief Road, Councillor Oldrieve could be in a worse position.

I am an elected representative for Paxcroft Ward (which is where the proposed road will be situated) and yet I too have been advised not to set foot in the Civic Hall tonight.

If this was an application to extend my house (or that of a friend or neighbour) then I would understand why I should not be present; but the proposed road will effect thousands of people and yet under the rules of The Standard Board for England I am effectively 'gagged'.

I know that at least three other councillors are in a similar predicament. It makes one wonder what we were actually elected for, if we cannot speak out on issues that have such a huge implication for our electorate.

CLLR ERNIE CLARK (Ind)

Hilperton