KEY groups in Melksham are calling for thorough public consultation on plans to revamp the town centre because they do not want to lose out on Government cash.

On Tuesday, highway engineers Ringway Parkman met with the town council, chamber of commerce, Melksham First and the civic trust to give them a preview of their public consultation exercise.

Nearly £100,000 is available for improvements in Church Street and High Street and civic leaders want the money to be spent wisely on a scheme which would be welcomed by the town.

New mayor, Terri Welch hopes a range of exhibitions can be organised over the coming months to reach out to as many people in Melksham as possible.

She said: "We want to get people's comments, both good and bad. Once the plans are out people will be able to give their response to them, even pupils at George Ward School, because 1,500 children there will be affected by them."

Councillors are hoping to have the plans on show at different locations and put them on the Melksham town website.

To make the proposals even more accessible, they also want to take them on a road show.

Funding for the scheme, which will involve a five-year programme of traffic and environmental improvements, including the widening of pavements and the creation of cycleways has been made available through the local transport plan.

But without proper consultation, civic leaders fear an angry backlash from residents could jeopardise the funding. Earlier this year, Warminster lost £135,000-worth of town centre improvements because of protests against the plans.

Traders and residents signed a petition and spoke out about the plans to make the area more pedestrian friendly.

If any of the cash earmarked for Melksham is left at the end of the financial year it will be given back to the Government.

Cllr Welch said: "Hopefully, proper consultation will safeguard the money."

To give the public more choice, Cllr Vic Oakman wants a range of different plans to be on show.

He said: "We are asking for several different plans to be put up in different places and we want a trial, using temporary barriers, to see if their proposals work."

At the time of going to press, Wiltshire County Council were unavailable for comment and could not confirm when the consultation period would start.