A SCHEME to build a new access road into a White-parish sandpit has failed to get support from Salisbury councillors.

Members of the district council's southern area committee disagreed with two ideas Wiltshire County Council put forward for a new access and road to serve the quarry at Moor Farm--off the busy A36 Southampton to Bristol trunk road.

Wiltshire planners sought the views of the district authority on two possible sites for the new access.

One was at Brick-worth Corner and the other onto Moor Lane, which leads to the A36.

If the Brickworth Corner scheme gets the green light it will lead to major construction works at the junction of the A27 and A36 at the foot of Pepperbox Hill.

Wiltshire Council Council's Brickworth Corner project includes a new 90 metre deceleration lane for sandpit-bound traffic approaching the site from the Southampton direction. A new right turn lane for inbound traffic from the Salisbury direction and a revised traffic island is also planned.

New street lighting, signs and a new four-stage traffic light system would have to be installed to replace the present three-stage system.

A 15-mile per hour speed limit is proposed on the new access road which will cross White-parish public footpath No 12.

County rights of way bosses plan to put up warning signs where the proposed new road meets the footpath. However, pedestrians will have right of way.

Salisbury planning officer, Tim Slaney, said the Brickworth Corner works would have "benefits for both site users and through traffic."

The other entrance site would lead to the realignment of Moor Lane further south along the A36.

This access would necessitate significant alterations to the Newton crossroads junction.

Committee members made it clear that they preferred to see the new access into the site built near Newton crossroads corner.

Officers will now convey members' views to Wiltshire County Council.