This concept of growing an area around a large 'strategic' road is not about local economies and vibrant town centres. It is about out-of-town logistic centres, global large-scale business, and easy access to the ports and motorway network. This concept of 'planning' for tin shed-land and out-of-town everything, only accessible by car, appears to be the basis of planning for economic growth in England. 

 

It's ugly and it's not for the benefit of local communities. It is not 'zero carbon'.

 

These photos show some of the places were road 'improvements' along the A350 have served to open up car-based development land as already happening around Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge, as well as provide a fast road for lorries.

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With tens of thousands of new homes planned along the improved road, the landscape of  West and North Wiltshire will be changed forever, as will the look and feel: the Midlands in the South West.