AN assurance has been given to residents that Amesbury's controversial link road between the A345 and A303 will be safe and will not be used as a town bypass.

Deputy mayor of Amesbury Allan Peach, who is also a district and county councillor, spoke out this week in the wake of claims of a breakdown in public trust and fears that the new road will be used by juggernauts and heavy traffic trying to avoid Amesbury.

Mr Peach said Wiltshire county council, Salisbury district council and Amesbury town council were aware of concern about safety in that part of the link road that will use the existing Porton Road and Underwood Drive.

He told the Journal: "The stretch of road that is causing the greatest concern is between the Baptist Church and the paper shop.

"There is considerable work to be done on this piece of road and improvements could well include new pavements and traffic lights, as well as other measures to protect children.

"There will be discussions on safety issues on the whole stretch of road between Underwood Drive and the A303 at Folly Bottom."