Bypass would devastate Wiltshire

The Countryside Commission yesterday called on the Government to re-open the 1993 inquiry into the controversial proposed Salisbury bypass. The commission said the bypass would so devastate the Wiltshire landscape that nothing could be done to counter the impact. A decision on the proposed road scheme was delayed last October while the Government sought more advice.

Although the bypass was supported by the local Tory MP Robert Key, it was understood that ministers were loath to risk more confrontation with road protestors before the election.