TWO councils are set for a showdown next week as the planning inquiry into a controversial park and ride scheme goes ahead.

And now Swindon Chamber of Commerce has entered the fray by supporting the development of a park and ride at Spittleborough Farm, outside Wootton Bassett near Junction 16 of the M4.

Swindon Borough Council is at loggerheads with North Wilts District Council after the park and ride plan was refused permission earlier this year.

The borough council appealed against the decision and a planning inquiry is now set to take place.

Now the Swindon Chamber of Commerce says that if the park and ride does not go ahead, businesses and staff will suffer. The chamber will be giving evidence at the inquiry.

Keith Newton, the chamber policy advisor, said: "Swindon badly needs to put in place a range of measures to deal with increasing traffic congestion.

"Junction 16 presents particularly severe problems in terms of traffic congestion and is the right choice for Swindon's second scheme.

"Swindon's businesses already face acute recruitment and retention problems because of the low unemployment figures.

"Many employers are therefore increasingly dependent upon commuters many of whom are travelling from further and further afield to access Swindon at Junction 16."

Swindon council wants to go ahead with the £2 million project as one of six park and ride schemes in its £37 million local transport plan.

North Wiltshire District Council objects to the plan as it feels it is an inappropriate development in a rural buffer zone and it will create a traffic hazard at that junction.