PEOPLE have reacted with fury to news the review of changes to Devizes Market Place, will not take place until March 2003 12 months later than promised.

When work started in March this year, Kennet District Council promised a review within a year.

But the Devizes town centre joint member working party decided a month ago that the review should be in 2003.

The secret decision has only just been revealed.

Maryport Street newsagent Tony Duck, a member of Devizes Guardians, which was set up after the trees were chopped down, said: "How many businesses will be left in the Market Place to benefit from the review in March 2003?

"There is an urgent need to look at this matter."

William Bohan-Pitt, the managing director of The Stationery Cupboard, in the Market Place, said: "It's another promise gone back on."

A taxi driver, who did not wish to be named, said: "They said to us give it a year and we were expecting a review in April 2002. By putting it back another year they are hoping we will go away."

Pauline St John Osland, of Downlands Road, who presented a 1,131-signature petition against changes to the Market Place, said: "I was told the review would be in 12 months.

"They must think we are a lot of imbeciles to swallow that. They know by then it will be far too late to do anything."

Ron Crook, the director of community services, said the council wanted to finish off replacing paving in the Market Place before a review is considered but would do surveys of pedestrians and other users of the Market Place.

Working party chairman Pat Rugg said early next year it would be looking at a parking strategy to see if spaces could be put back in the Market Place.

The joint member working party is also urging Kennet district and Wiltshire county councils to look at reducing car parking charges in Devizes' Station Road car park.

Charges were increased in April from 15p an hour to 35p and the daily charge is now £1.50 compared to 80p.

Members of the joint member working party felt the charges were stopping some motorists from using it. Others felt it was not well used because it was at the bottom of a hill.