Rather than 'cunningly overestimating' the time it took to lay the mains pipe in London Road, Wessex Water has always said that the work would be completed as soon as possible. This is admitted by Jeff Ody in his letter to the Gazette on July 29.

It beggars belief, therefore, that his political group, Devizes Guardians, are now trying to claim that their intervention has resulted in the early completion of this work, especially as Wessex Water have simply followed the installation plans discussed and agreed with Wiltshire County Council, Wiltshire Police and Kennet District Council earlier in the year. The Guardians' claim is unfounded.

COUN R TAYLOR

Devizes