Some time ago I warned of the problems that the Record Office project could bring to Chippenham.

Because of that project, Devizes suffered the loss of the Northgate and Wharfside developments. The drawn- out process, ending in failure, had a negative impact on the town.

Now the same problem is hitting Chippenham. There is a chronic shortage of employment land and a shortage of new sites.

The obvious site is the cattle market but it can't be developed because of the Record Office.

And the Record Office won't start being built for at least two years. It should be remembered the Record Office project is notorious for delay and inflation so that forecast could easily stretch to three years or even more.

In the meantime, employers will look elsewhere to build. And Chippenham will lose out.

The people of Chippenham should learn from Devizes. The county council has no control over the Record Office project, it is totally in the hands of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

There is a history of failed bids and the one for Chippenham already has major question marks over it.

No traffic assessment has been undertaken as yet. Do the residents of Chippenham really need another 26,000 cars struggling through the middle of their already congested town centre and trying to find parking in Cocklebury Road?

When the bid fails, as fail it will, Chippenham will be left to pick up the pieces, just like Devizes.

DM Colcomb

Devizes