I feel sure many people will be scratching their heads at the announcement from the Civic Offices that an independent study on the proposal to extend Thamesdown Drive has concluded it is not justifiable in terms of its cost benefit.

In July 2013 it was reported that the town’s MPs lobbied the Chancellor to release funding for what Justin Tomlinson called a vital extension.

Indeed the Chancellor said our MPs had made a powerful case for the ring road plans for Swindon” which it was claimed would create jobs, relieve congestion and regenerate the town.

These points question any credibility the report may have.

Mr Osborne went so far as to say “We got the maps out, and I think it’s clear that Swindon doesn’t have the complete ring road that other conurbations of this size would have”.

In January Councillor Williams and the MPs journeyed to London to lobby ministers to release the funds to undertake the work; regrettably despite the supposed ‘powerful case’ made to the Chancellor he did not provide any money for the scheme.

Eleven months later, Councillor Heenan suggests Justin Tomlinson’s claim that the road is a vital extension and the Chancellor’s observation - “it’s clear that Swindon doesn’t have the complete ring road” require a dose of reality even though the questions he now poses were addressed in 2013.

As for the decision not to proceed being made on the basis of there being no financial benefit, readers will remember a comment made only one week ago by the leader of the council in which he criticised those people who “only look at the cost benefit analysis on an individual cost basis” and ignore the need to “make the borough an even better place to live”.

Des Morgan Caraway Drive Swindon