We suggest that locals walk the route of the planned eastern Westbury bypass, as we have often done.    The road would have run through the old Drove Way.

You can start via Wellhead Drove, or by the riding stables on upper Newtown. The eastern bypass was to go further, of course, but what we recommend is an easy walk along the Drove Way, with views at each end.     Think about it all.

The long dry valley from Newtown to Wellhead is a feature of chalk landscape.
It has been formed by water flowing under the ground - to the water source.

Wiltshire Council wanted to build a polluting main road throughout this valley.

  We have also walked along the top of the escarpment, from Short River, which is a direct steep path up from Newtown, opposite a small local water reservoir, and then to Upton Cow Down, or on an ancient track through a beech avenue. These are lovely walks, the best of our countryside, with views to the horizon.

All of this would be irreparably harmed by a bypass.   Plus a risk to our water.

There are also good views of the Westbury White Horse from upper Newtown, which also happens to be where an eastern bypass would have come through.

  The existing official viewing position is down on the Bratton Road, where there is a modest gravelled parking area.   The planned route for the eastern bypass went through this viewing place too.   Possibly it was intended to redevelop it as a bypass service area.    We read elsewhere that an eastern bypass would have been useful for visitors to Wiltshire, as they could have convenient views of the Westbury Escarpment and White Horse from their cars, without pausing.

But who else has also walked in the area of the proposed Glenmore Link Road?

We followed the Biss stream on the footpath off the Mead, under the railways, then across the fields to Blenches Mill Farm, which is also all fine countryside.

Wiltshire Council wanted to build three ugly gantries by the Biss in this area.

We returned via Shallow Wagon Lane, a stunning old broad green avenue.

The Drove Way and Shallow Wagon Lane would have been cut by WC's roads.

The loveliest countryside would have been spoiled and Westbury passed by.