THERE are no planning or traffic grounds to refuse plans for a park and ride in the rural buffer zone between Swindon and Wootton Bassett.

This was the evidence heard by the public inquiry into whether or not the proposed park and ride scheme should go ahead at Spittleborough Farm, near junction 16 of the M4.

Helen Powell, Swindon Borough Council's team leader of transport planning, said that the site at Spittleborough Farm was included in the North Wiltshire Local Plan Review deposit document in April 1995.

She said the proposal for the park and ride at this site was supported by Wiltshire County Council and what was then Thamesdown Borough Council.

The proposals which the public inquiry is looking at will cost the council £2m.

They include a single level car park, car circulation areas, a bus turning area, a single storey amenity building with a waiting room and toilets, a cycle shelter and a security office with CCTV monitoring.

The inquiry held by the Govern-ment was called by Swindon Council after North Wiltshire District Council refused planning permission at the beginning of this year for the park and ride scheme to go ahead.

The evidence from North Wiltshire District Council, which will defend its position of having refused permission for the development, will be heard by the inquiry on Monday.

The park and ride is an important part of the council's transport plan to reduce congestion within the town and particularly the town centre.

Ms Powell was the third and final council officer to be giving evidence to the public inquiry.

n The inquiry continues

She also told the inquiry that NWDC has not raised any objections to the policy of a park and ride, or the proposals by the council during the planning process.

She said: "A comprehensive assessment of all sites in the vicinity of junction 16 was undertaken by Wiltshire County Council which resulted in preference for the Spittleborough Farm site.

"Six bus Park and Ride schemes are proposed for Swindon in the council's local transport plan, including the Spittleborough Farm site.

"As no alternative is available or suitable. If permission is not granted for this scheme, motorists from the west of the borough will be denied the opportunity to transfer to a more sustainable mode of transport."