Westbury Bypass Inquiry

9.10.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Jun 2008

The Inquiry started on the 17th June at the Laverton Hall, Westbury. Sessions of the Inquiry will normally be Tuesdays to Thursdays 10.00 to about 17.00 with short breaks morning and afternoon and an hour for lunch. On Fridays the Inquiry will start at 9.30, with a shorter lunch and a finish around 14.30.

At the first pre-inquiry meeting (PIM) in Trowbridge at on Monday March 3rd a packed council chamber heard the inspector Mr Alan Langton run through the procedures for the Inquiry. One important point is that the Inquiry is into the Eastern bypass scheme. Whilst it might look at other routes for the purpose of comparison it couldn't reach a conclusion that another route would be better. It can only decide if the eastern route is compatible with local and national policy and recommend that ministers permit if it is, or refuse if it is not.

A second preparatory meeting was held in Westbury on May 19th.

Notes on the PIMs, and the timetable for the actual enquiry, can be seen at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/westbury-bypass-public-inquiry.htm

That web address also contains the submissions from the promoters and objectors, and will carry daily updates when the inquiry gets under way.

Should you wish to make a contribution to the anti-eastern bypass campaign, please write a cheque payable to "White Horse Alliance" and send it to Dept 237 Edgar Buildings, George St, Bath, BA1 2FJ.