NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has added his voice to the growing chorus of dismay over plans to build a tunnel under the M4 from Swindon to Wootton Bassett.

Mr Gray has written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott asking him to call the planning application in for a special review.

In his letter he said: "This plan has absolutely crucial strategic importance for my constituency.

"It will enable all of those houses in the new development of the so-called Front Garden to access the M4 from Junction 16 through my constituency and will no doubt result in significantly increased traffic, particularly through the town of Wootton Bassett.

"My constituents are extremely concerned about it for that reason alone."

He went on to add that the plan, together with plans to build Swindon Town FC's new stadium at Shaw, seems a significant threat the rural buffer that protects Wootton Bassett, the Lydiards and Purton from the expansion of Swindon.

The scheme to build a tunnel to link Croft Road with the Front Garden development has been causing controversy in Wootton Bassett since it was first suggested almost a year ago.

North Wiltshire district councillor Mollie Groom, and Charmain Spickernell of the Council for the Protection of Rural England have been at the forefront of the fight.

Coun Groom said: "I am very pleased that James Gray has added his support, because we need all the support we can get to fight this.

"More and more people have been writing in to protest about it.

"There really is a growing anger about it.

"People have been coming to me very angry and upset, and saying that it seems that Swindon is simply trying to export its traffic problems to Wootton Bassett and the Lydiards."

The scheme has been put forward by Swindon Borough Council, because the proposed tunnel site falls on Swindon land, but residents of Wootton Bassett and other north Wiltshire towns are angry because they say they have never been given an adequate forum to express their views.

They are also worried that the tunnel seems to encroach on to the rural buffer which maintains the fragile divide between the continuing expansion of Swindon and the preservation of independent towns like Wootton Bassett.

Swindon Borough Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop said: "The plans were discussed at an Examination in Public, but an offer from Mr Gray to address the committee on behalf of his constituents was turned down.

"There was a full meeting of the planning committee on January 24 at the Wyvern Theatre which was very well attended.

"The committee has now made its decision after a full consultation process run by an independent firm which made several amendments to the plans after public feedback.

"We are now awaiting the decision of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on whether to call in the application."

Mr Gray said: "I would happily have given the remarks I made to the Deputy Prime Minister and more to the Examination in Public.

"I am sorely disappointed by its refusal to hear from me.

"I would have thought that responding to a request from the local MP would at the very least be fundamental courtesy."