CAMPAIGNERS in Bradford on Avon have said the only solution to the town's traffic crisis is to revive plans for a relief road.

Problems caused by increased traffic through narrow streets and pollution were compounded this week by floods which cut the town in two.

Bradford Traffic and Transport Open Forum has asked the town council and West Wiltshire District Council to put the bypass issue back on the agenda.

Forum member Godfrey Marks said the issue was beginning to hot up again and arguments for a new road scheme were strengthened by the floods.

"We now have a really strong third argument for something to be done," he said.

"There is no other crossing for the Avon between Melksham and Bath when water levels are high. Staverton is always the first to flood."

Surveys carried out in the town centre have shown traffic numbers continuing to rise and pollution levels are expected to exceed government guidelines set down for 2005.

A district council report on nitrogen dioxide levels in the town centre found Bradford was in a worse position than a test site in Bristol.

Mr Marks said: "Meanwhile, if we don't do something about getting a relief road, Bradford will become a totally uncivilised place to be."

Town and district councillor Minna Gillham said it would be a long time before any proposals for a new road could become a reality.

She said: "It is a tricky issue, there are so many people on either side. Since I shall never live to see it I have tended to sit on the fence."

She said the forum's proposals for improved traffic measure and traffic calming in the town centre would not solve the problems alone.

l Letters: Page 44.