The county council, with its ill-conceived record office project, seems intent on using the rural economy as a punchbag.

The ridiculous situation where the economically vital Chippenham Livestock Market takes second place to the controversial record office project shows the county council has totally lost touch with reality.

Premier Livestock has been forced to operate the market on a month by month basis, as the continued uncertainty and escalating costs of the project, which will have minimal economic effect on either Chippenham or north Wiltshire, takes priority.

Now we are told that outline plans for a new livestock market near junction 17 were submitted but then withdrawn. So the livestock farmers of north Wiltshire are faced with the long, expensive trip to Bristol to add to their problems. Planning for marketing livestock is a nightmare.

Then, the county council is set to make Wiltshire council taxpayers pay an arm and a leg for this jinxed record office project that no-one, except north Wiltshire councillors, wants on the livestock market site.

Why are farming livelihoods in north Wiltshire being sacrificed in such political games?

Clive Gale

Potterne