BATTLE lines are being drawn up over the controversial Hilperton bypass which will cut the protected Gap in two.

Environmentalists are stepping up their campaign to stop the road being built, and land alongside its route being sacrificed for housing to foot the bypass bill.

They took their battle to Trowbridge Town Council this week, and urged councillors to support their calls for the scheme to be dropped.

Campaign leader Bob Gledhill, of Middle Lane, Trowbridge, told them there was huge opposition to the road, and called for it to be dropped.

But people living in traffic-clogged Hilperton are battling for the road to be built as soon as possible.

Alan Denman, of Hill Street, said: "I am generally opposed to the constant infringement of our green areas, but here I am talking about the effects on the lives of so many people, on the effects to property and the possible danger to pedestrians.

"Hilperton villagers need that new road through the Hilperton Gap, that is a fact."

Town clerk Doug Ross said the council had reiterated its support for the road, but was opposed to houses being built in the Gap to pay for it.

He said: "People on the Trowbridge side seem not to want it, but people in Hilperton who are affected by the traffic do.

"We cannot see any arguments against the road that are very real."

He said the road and its route had been through a public inquiry and confirmed by a Government inspector.

Developers of the Paxcroft Mead estate stumped up £640,000 towards the link road, but it is not enough to build it. Wiltshire County Council has until 2006 to use the money or lose it. Highways chiefs say the council just does not have the money to build the road, and the only answer is building in the Gap.

The land is protected by West Wiltshire District Council as a rural buffer, and Mr Ross said the town council totally supported its retention.

The county council has put in a bid to the government for money for its local transport plan.

Mr Ross said: "If they get that money we will be pressing them to use some of it for that road to be built."