CHRIS Wain is quite correct to raise yet again the question of a by-pass round Salisbury and the pollution caused by heavy goods vehicles travelling round the city (Postbag, December 20).

However, history is not on our side. The people of Salisbury missed their chance in 1989 when various plans for a by-pass were put forward by the Ministry of Transport, two going over the River Avon and round the back of Harnham and a third route going up what is now called Pearce Way at Hampton Park.

What Chris does not point out is that this “northern” route went from Petersfinger, round the back of Laverstock, up Pearce Way to the Beehive, along the A345 for two or three miles before cutting off through Archers Gate and joining the A303 at the new junction at Bulford.

An alternative route was also discussed to the A303 across the Woodford Valley.

All these routes engendered opposition and I’m not sure any of them would be more acceptable today than they were in 1989.

However, I agree that further large scale development, including the proposed development at Hampton Park II, is not sustainable unless there is an alternative route for traffic travelling north to south through Salisbury.

BILL MOSS, Wiltshire councillor, Salisbury