WORK will start on the £10m Semington bypass within days, even though the Government has still not given the final go-ahead.

Highways chiefs say they will lose a year if contractors do not start work by January 7.

Wiltshire County Council is still waiting for final confirmation that the road, most of which will be dual carriageway, can go ahead, but leader Peter Chalke said the decision has been taken to start.

He told county councillors on Tuesday that the indications were good.

A council spokesman said: "We still haven't had the final go-ahead but the indications from the Government and the Government Office of the South West are good and that there will be no problem.

"Councillors were told a year would be lost if they didn't get contractors on site by January 7; that is the deadline, and it was felt unlikely the formal approval would be received by then.

"It is taking a risk, but it was decided it was worth doing."

The first work to be done will be diverting the Kennet & Avon canal at Semington, before the boat cruising season starts in the spring.

The four-mile long bypass will take six million vehicles a year away from Semington.

Tenders have already gone out to ensure the council was ready to go as soon as the Government's go ahead was received.

Now council leaders have decided they cannot wait any longer for the Government's formal answer.

Highways improvement manager officer Tim Jones said: "Tenders are going out to take advantage of a window of opportunity we have.

"The canal has to be diverted so a new aqueduct can go in. We have to get the work done before the start of the boat-cruising season at Easter."

A two-week planning inquiry was held in the summer after objections from residents about the two ends of the road, at Bowerhill and on the A361 near West Wiltshire Crematorium.

The aim is to have the road built and open within 15 months. It will run from a new roundabout on Western Way, between Bowerhill and Semington, passing around the back of the new Avon Technical Products factory at Hampton Park Industrial Estate, crossing the A361 Devizes road near West Wiltshire Crematorium, and joining the A350 at Hag Hill.

A cutting will be built to take the road under the Kennet and Avon canal, and a bridge will take it over Semington Brook and the flood plain.

Semington parish council chairman Robert Oglesby said the sign of work starting was a good omen.

"You don't want to say hooray too soon until you know it is going ahead for real.

"Notices have been sent out to landowners about the work which is a good sign."