AS town councillors we are well aware of the traffic problems in Devizes and that a bypass route has been an ongoing issue for decades (Gazette letters from Frank Giles and Sarah Padwick, April 15).

The county council is responsible for traffic management and town councillors' remarks were to remind the county council of their responsibilities.

Freight traffic is patently not sticking to the strategic routes the M4, A34, A303, A350 designated by the county council to avoid this crossroads area of central Wiltshire. The county council should therefore consider other relief roads to reduce freight and commuter traffic in Devizes.

We are mindful that the county council's preferred option several years ago was to build a 'link road' through Devizes which is now proving to be inadequate.

Of course the scale and nature of the growing problem can only be assessed if the county updates the Devizes traffic model which would involve traffic surveys and a bypass feasibility study.

With £22 million Government funding for the coming year, almost £2 million more than expected, it is difficult to understand why the county is so reluctant to help Devizes!

COUNS MARGARET AND RAY TAYLOR

Parkfield

Devizes