TRAFFIC campaigner Dr Colin Little has criticised plans to proceed with a Westbury bypass despite the scheme having no guarantee of Government funding.

Dr Little, chairman of the Westbury Bypass Alliance, said a poll showed 80 per cent of residents in the town opposed an eastern route for the relief road.

Last month the Government announced Wiltshire County Council's £15m eastern bypass plan for Westbury did not have high enough priority for funding. The Government Office for the South West is due to discuss with the county council how the scheme can go ahead.

The council is expected to lodge a planning application for the scheme this month.

Dr Little said: "It seems important at this stage to make it quite clear to the county council that if they go for planning permission they will be voting against very strong opposition."