NEARLY £25 million of council money is to be spent on transport schemes in Wiltshire in 2003-4, with the vast bulk of the money going to improve the county's road network.

Nearly £10 million will be spent on maintaining Wiltshire's roads and bridges, and another £7 million will help pay for the Semington-Melksham bypass.

Cllr Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, Wiltshire County Council cabinet member for the environment, said: "I am delighted that this significant amount of funding will improve Wiltshire's transport network for all users."

People living in Semington have been asking for a road to reduce the pressure of traffic through the village for the past 50 years and the bypass scheme was finally given the go-ahead in October last year.

The government sanctioned the release of just over £3 million in initial funding to allow work to start immediately.

As well as the money to be spent on improving roads and trying to reduce the number of accidents, cash will also be allocated to reduce dependence on the private car. The council aims to encourage the use of alternatives such as public transport, cycling and walking.

Council transport planner Spencer Drinkwater said: "It is important to invest in walking, cycling and public transport facilities in the urban parts of Wiltshire, particularly the town centres.

"These are natural transport hubs and the focus of people's leisure and employment activities, and therefore where the majority of journeys take place."

The overall aim of the council's local transport plan is to reduce the rate of traffic growth in the county, as well as air and noise pollution.

Money allocated to schemes includes £950,000 for improvements on key bus routes, such as new shelters and raised kerbs.

A total of £1,156 has been given to the Western Wiltshire Sustainable Transport Strategy, which covers west and north Wiltshire.

The strategy aims to encourage businesses to invest in the area by creating an effective and efficient transport, education and training infrastructure and reducing the need for people to commute to find jobs.

People in Trowbridge were asked to provide their comments on the improvements proposed for Trowbridge town centre at a display in the Castle Place shopping centre last week.

Improvements to Roundstone Street and Castle Street are already under way and planners hope to extend schemes to make the town centre more attractive for non-car users.

The council's regulatory committee was due to meet this week to discuss spending in more detail.