CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A WORLD heritage site in Chippenham could soon benefit from thousands of pounds of funding.

Town and district councillor Ross Henning is optimistic about securing cash to spruce up the Western Arches and fill in the dilapidated New Road subway.

He hopes safety crossings will replace the ageing walkways, making space for a garden area and a statue of renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Wiltshire County Council, which is responsible for the walkway, has admitted it needs to be refurbished and could earmark around £150,000 funding in the next financial year.

Cllr Henning hopes to work with the county council and North Wiltshire District Council on the plans. He has already received a letter of encouragement from the Railway Heritage Trust.

He said: "I'll be asking different departments to try to find some funding. The reason the work has not already been done on the arches is that they needed waterproofing work some years ago.

"Now water is not running down them, they can be spruced up and maybe even floodlit. They would look marvellous."

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