District councillor Simon Coy said plans to carry out remedial work on subsiding land in Churchill Close, Calne, were making progress.

The council has not accepted liability for the problem but is putting all the groundwork in place to move things forward.

Residents on one side of the road have lost between five and ten feet from their gardens, which back on to subsiding land owned by North Wiltshire District Council.

The houses are a mixture of privately owned and Westlea Housing Association properties. Residents fear the subsidence will eventually reach their houses making them unfit to live in if something is not done urgently.

The council is currently battling with its insurance company to find out whether it can make a claim. Until the insurance company makes a decision the council will not admit liability for fear of jeopardising its claim.

The insurance company may pay out for the cost of remedial work but if it does not, the council will have to come up with the cash, which could be in the region of £650,000.

At an executive meeting last week the council resolved to take note of a report on the design costs, the insurance claim, and the programme of remedial work. The details of this report are not known because it is a confidential document.

Members also agreed to keep Churchill Close residents up to date and following agreement of detailed design specification, costings and programme for the remedial works, a meeting would be arranged with them.

Resident Jenny Lloyd said:"At the moment we have no confirmation in writing of anything.

"But it is slowly going forward. However we need to keep the pressure up," she said.