I WOULd like to draw attention to the shortage of childcare facilities in Bradford on Avon.

The government has a National Childcare Strategy to help parents return to work, and has made available, via the Lottery, £200m to provide childcare places for 865,000 children across the UK. But Bradford can't benefit, because so far all initiatives to set up childcare facilities fail to meet planning and highways regulations. This means parents are forced to drive elsewhere, thus increasing traffic.

However, the Dept of Transport and Dept of the Environment Planning Policy Guidance document (PPG3,Mar94) to local authorities has as its key aims to reduce growth in the length and number of motorised journeys and to reduce reliance on the car.

To my knowledge, two initiatives have been turned down in the last six months, including mine on Ashley Road, and several groups are still looking for suitable accommodation.

West Wiltshire's own Strategy for Sustainable Development Horizon 21 clearly states its vision as "working to:

l encourage sustainable business practices

l promote alternatives to car use

l meet our needs locally

l aim to meet community needs."

To find a way through the problem, representatives from Wiltshire Early Years, the planning department and I met recently, and went through the map of Bradford to find a suitable site. These are our conclusions:

l It can't be on a minor road in case parents' cars block traffic;

l It can't be on a major road because cars slowing down and turning would cause a danger;

l There is substantial pollution in the town centre from traffic fumes, so here is not idea;

l It can't be on an estate because of trouble to neighbours;

l It can't be in the countryside because of Green Belt policy;

l It can't be anywhere where it may increase problems with traffic, but if you plan for most people to walk, you have to provide parking places in case people drive.

Can I suggest that representatives from planning, highways, district and town councils, and interested parties sit down together to take responsibility for this situation and find a way forward?

Candy Verney,

Ashley Road,

Bradford on Avon.