MULTI-MILLION pound road schemes planned for Westbury and the A36 have been left off next year's government list for funding.

The Government has awarded Wiltshire County Council over £16.5m for a range of transport schemes including the Semington and Melksham diversion, but the proposed eastern bypass for Westbury and the improvements to the A36 from Codford to Heytesbury dubbed 'Death Valley' are not included.

The Department for Transport claims the plans were not rejected but have been deferred pending a final decision in January.

A south west spokesman said: "We can only make a decision on the bypass and the Codford to Heytesbury improvements once the Bath/Bristol south coast roads study has been completed.

"We expected the study to be published in November but it has been delayed until January. No final decisions have been taken for roads along that route."

The south coast roads study was originally expected in spring 2002 and its publishing date has now been set back three times.

Colin Little, chairman of the Westbury Bypass Alliance, has campaigned against an eastern route passing underneath the Westbury White Horse.

He said: "It was a mistake to make the bid before the study was published and the Government has every right to cast a curious eye over the plans.

"It is appropriate for the Government to delay a decision and the way the council has ignored the public and the inspectors' report and put in a bid is very cheeky."

The Government funds were rewarded in response to Wiltshire County Council's Local Transport Plan on July 31.

The county council wish list included a £16m eastern bypass for Westbury with a link to West Wilts Trading Estate and improvements to a 3.5km stretch of the A36 from Codford to Heytesbury.

Now over £11m will be spent on maintenance, bridge strengthening schemes and projects for an integrated transport system, while road safety and traffic management are benefiting from £4.65m.

Fleur de Rhe Philipe, county council member for environment, transport and economic development, said: "This funding will enable us to carry out a range of high priority schemes across Wiltshire.

"I am delighted that the county council's improving performance has been recognised and rewarded by the grant of more than £800,000 in additional funding."

The Government are expected to publish the south coast roads study after a meeting of the Regional Assembly on January 17.