A BYPASS for Westbury could be a step closer today with Wiltshire County Council likely to agree the route and ask for millions of pounds to build it.

The council's cabinet is expected to confirm its intention to bid for government money to build the eastern bypass with Glenmore link, at an estimated cost of £16m. If successful work could start in 2005.

Planned road improvements in Westbury town centre will cost an additional £1.3m.

Cllr Fleur De Rhe-Philipe, cabinet member for the environment, said the eastern route should go ahead as soon as possible.

She said: "The time for stalling is over. These important transport im-provements have been delayed too long, and local people have suffered the effects. We can't please everyone, we must go ahead with the bypass."

Bypass campaigners in the town are upset the council appears to be ignoring advice following a recent public inquiry into the West Wiltshire District Plan.

The inspector's report following the inquiry recommended the district and county council's reconsider the bypass route.

Among the inspector's concerns was the risk of water pollution, because the eastern route runs over Westbury Wellhead, and the depth of local concern.

Colin Little, chairman of the Westbury Bypass Alliance has been campaigning for a western bypass and believes the inspector's report has been completely ignored.

He has received over 300 questionnaires from West-bury residents opposing the eastern route.

Mr Little said: "The report highlighted very important points and recommended that the road be reconsidered.

"There is a lot of public feeling against the eastern route which has been ignored."

Other concerns raised by the inspector's report included the damage to the countryside below the Westbury White Horse and recommended waiting for the outcome of the A36/46 survey expected later this month.

The cabinet is also to decide whether to bid for government funds for improvements on the Codford to Heytesbury road and the Wylye Valley relief road. If the cabinet agrees to bid for the money a result is expected by December.

A bid for road improvements at West Ashton and Yarnbrook has not been recommended because council officers feel it would not be successful in light of limited funds being available.

They said it would be possible to submit a separate bid at a later date.