Villagers who say their lives are being disrupted by the laying of a new water main are planning a national protest against service providers who fail to consult over major installations.

Residents of Blunsdon accuse Thames Water of springing plans for a new feeder main on them with little warning, and of failing to consider an alternative route across fields away from the village.

The 3ft-wide pipe is now being laid along a 700ft section of the A4019, and traffic diversions through the village are causing major problems.

In spite of reassurances from Thames Water that the main is a low pressure installation, they are also worried that homes in the village could be seriously damaged by flood water if the pipework cracks.

Parish councillor Frank Eggleton."I am now taking this matter up with the National Association of Parish Councils, and I will be asking how many other councils have similar stories to tell.

"There needs to be legislation to make sure utility companies conduct meaningful discussions with parishes before work like this is allowed to go ahead.

"Statutory authorities cause havoc with road closures and there seems to be little that we can do. Thames Water just hasn't listened to us."

Mr Eggleton, who is chairman of the Wiltshire Association of Parish Councils, said that if there was sufficient support for his campaign it would be referred by the National Association to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions with a demand for action.

"With this work having already started it won't do us a lot of good," he said. "But it might well help other parishes."

North Swindon MP Michael Wills has already written to the Secretary of State.

Thames Water says the installation, which started in October, will take nine weeks. "We don't expect it to be completed until December 22," said Mr Eggleton. "Hopefully we shall at least get some peace for Christmas."

In the meantime, parish council chairman Colin Shiner says it is virtually impossible for house-holders in some parts of the village to get their cars in and out of their drives.

Mike and Carol Stephens, of Blunsdon Motor Supplies, say they have lost customers because people can't get to their premises in Broadbush.

"I estimate our trade has dropped by 35 per cent," said Mrs Stephens. "Because of the diversion, it took one delivery driver an hour and a quarter to get here from Stratton with an item for which a customer was waiting. The customer couldn't wait any longer and cancelled the order."

Thames Water spokesman Andrew Boyd said: "In July, we offered the parish council a drop-in session and it chose not to take it up. We have a very good record on consultation and we are sorry it now feels it necessary to refer this to the National Association of Parish Councils."

He said officials visited Bluns-don Motor Services some time ago and made it clear that claims about the loss of trade would be investigated when the work was complete.

"We are hopeful that work will be finished by December 9."