THOUSANDS of pounds worth of government cash for town centre improvements in Melksham could be lost unless swift decisions are made on how the money should be spent.

Around £130,000 has already been swallowed up by schemes such as the traffic-calming project in Forest Road, but nearly £100,000 is available for improvements in Church Street and High Street.

To find the best ways to revamp parts of the town centre, public consultation will start over the coming months.

But unless an agreement on the designs is reached, project manager Nick Dixon, of Ringway Parkman, has warned that the money could be lost.

He said: "If no agreement is reached the money will be used elsewhere. Other towns which have reached a similar stage in discussions have lost out because of a failure to agree."

Earlier this year, Warminster lost £135,000-worth of town centre improvements because of angry protests against the plans.

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

Next Tuesday, Ringway Parkman will meet with key groups in Melksham, including the town council, chamber of commerce, Melksham First, and the civic trust to give them a preview of their public consultation exercise.

"We were asked by the county council to prepare a draft exhibition," said Mr Dixon. "We already have a design in mind, but public consultation will help us decide on the type of improvements people want.

"It is good news for Melksham because it will enhance the urban area and benefit shoppers, pedestrians and passenger transport users in particular."

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

In the next phase of the improvement works, areas such as the Market Place in the centre of the town could also benefit from extra spending.

But any cash left at the end of the financial year will be given back to the government.

Melksham First chairman, Adrienne West-brook, said the spending would mirror objectives set out by the government.

She said: "Minor changes will lead to more major changes over the next few years.

"It may make some car drivers uptight but the government's policy is to improve the environment for pedestrian traffic."