OPPONENTS of Wiltshire County Council's plan to install 22 galvanised steel lamp columns on a 550 metre stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath say it would be a gross waste of £50,000.

Of those who contacted the Gazette the majority were against the proposal.

Former canal trust chairman David Lamb said: "It is a ludicrous waste of money. Relatively few people would want to use the path at night."

Kennet councillor Jenny Combe said she was horrified by the plan and thought the huge lights would urbanise the canal.

Michael Colmer of Victoria Road said if the lights were installed between London Road and Quakers Walk bridge it could lead to boaters flouting a night time cruising ban.

Jeff Ody, chairman of The Trust for Devizes, also slammed the idea as being out of keeping.

Dave and Kath Cleaver, regular boating users of the canal, thought the money should be used to provide more litter bins along the towpath and Salisbury Street resident John Weller said it would be better spent on installing CCTV in the town.

However, Victoria Road resident Justin Leonard thought the lights would discourage drunks who regularly sit on a bench on the towpath.

But he is not impressed by the plan for galvanised steel columns, which he thought would be out of character. He suggested the design should be amended to blend in better.

The county council is consulting on the proposal until January 31.