CALLS for a long-awaited crossing on Melksham town bridge have been renewed.

Disability groups say the crossing, promised in time for Princess Anne's visit in 2000, is now two years overdue.

The crossing was intended to link up the Riverside Walk, but problems with the traffic calming measures on Bath Road have hampered the project.

Money has been set aside for the crossing with £5,000 donated by the Riverside Project, a group promoting access to the River Avon for all.

MS sufferer Peter Gray, chairman of the Access and Disabilities Group in Melksham, said: "We are all suffering. All we want is a proper place to cross the road. There is the speed hump but we can't cross it because it is deformed and doesn't even link up the route.

"I think they tried to do two things at once and they have messed them both up."

Wiltshire County Council rushed through the £8,500 traffic-calming project two years ago to slow down vehicles on the town bridge.

A speed ramp near the Sainsbury's roundabout was supposed to link up the Millennium Walk and provide access for disabled residents, but was squashed by heavy traffic.

Disabled groups are demanding their own crossing and say money has been promised for it.

County councillors agreed to pay for improvements to the two speed humps at a meeting in January but no work has been carried out so far.

Local councillor Angie Barker is urging the highways department to get on with the work.

She said: "This has had problems from day one. The delay in putting it right is unacceptable. Pedestrians are taking their lives in their hands as they try to cross the road."