GAZETTE & HERALD: ILLUMINATING Brunel's historic Western Arches would be as iconic for Chippenham as Royal Crescent is for Bath, according to town councillors.

They voted unanimously in favour of official consultation over the maintenance costs of lighting up the railway viaduct at their meeting last week.

Councillor Philip Alnatt said the illuminations would provide a spectacular gateway to Chippenham as well as giving added protection to late-night walkers.

"It adds a real feel-good dimension," he said. "Next year is the bicentenary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the stretch of railway between Chippenham and Bath is a world heritage site."

In November the arches were lit up for the first time to give councillors a glimpse at how the area would look if the scheme went ahead.

Plans to illuminate the arches permanently from next summer is part of a £300,000 scheme to revamp the New Road end of town.

At the demonstration councillors agreed in principle on a white light to enhance the columns outside the arches and a slightly contrasting colour, possibly pastel blue or lavender, for inside the arch.

Coun June Wood commented on how she saw the arches through "new eyes" the first time she saw them lit up. "It was absolutely beautiful. You could see the shape of the arch underneath," she said.

Mayor Ross Henning added: "Perhaps this venture will lay down the tracks for the future."

Development director of HPH, Chris Wordsworth, who owns a number of properties that look out on to New Road, has offered to donate £20,000 towards pavement lighting another proposal to smarten up the site.

It is part of a massive renaissance of the arches and the surrounding area, being carried out in partnership between Wiltshire County Council, Chippenham Town Council, Railtrack, the Railway Heritage Trust and Bewley House developers HPH.

Councillor Andrew Noblet said: "I think this is an opportune time for us to reflect on how partnerships are crucial for the further development of Chippenham and North Wiltshire."