Here are the December 2008 Regional Funding Allocation Tables [on pdf] - with an under-presented cost. The proposed Wiltshire A350 Westbury Bypass was still in the 'schemes which do not yet have approval' list.

And also, the eastern Westbury bypass scheme, as planned by W(C)C, did not include any traffic relief at nearby Yarnbrook and West Ashton, which was originally meant as part of the overall A350 flow strategy and without which it could not work.   The Planning Inspector also referred to this fundamental failing.

If the dud scheme had been implemented, the money spent and environmental cost were for no real gain.

Estimates and benefits ratios for a western route had not been done on the basis of realistic comparison.

Overall comparative benefits of HGV main road access for the Westbury International Rail Freight Terminal, which is to be beside the railway station, which will be needed anyway, had not actually been considered.

The case for an eastern road which was to be far away from Westbury railway station was altogether silly.

It rather reminds us of the atmosphere leading to the oh so foolish invasion of Iraq.   Our leaders strode in, hyped-up on creative misinformation - though also inwardly conscious that their decision was not justified.  Too many politicians were hustled into acquiescing to the folly.  Campaigners representing sensible opinion and the majority of the UK population were ignored.  And what a really counter-productive overall outcome.

Conservative Wiltshire Council is similar to the shallow American Conservatives who led us into the Iraq War, in that our top councillors insist that they know best and do not like to be given rational advice.