Calne is to be split between two parliamentary constituencies under new plans from Boundary Commissions for England.  

Most of the town will go into the new Chippenham constituency, but Quemerford and the south of Calne will go into the new Devizes and Melksham constituency.

The proposal, announced on November 8, has been criticised by both town councillors and MP for North Wiltshire James Gray.

Mr Gray who currently represents Calne said: “I’m making representations that Quemerford should remain with the town of Calne and therefore in the new Chippenham seat.

“Here we have a part of the town of Calne which is being chopped out unreasonably.

“We will see what the boundary commission say. At this stage they’re unlikely to make big changes and they won’t put Calne Rural back, but they might undo the Quemerford change.

“People should write to the boundary commission to make their own representations, which can be done online.”

Wiltshire Council Liberal Democrat Leader Ian Thorn who represents Calne Central said: “I have absolutely no idea why the Commission have chosen to do this. If Calne South was a wholly rural ward, then it might make sense but of course quite a big chunk of Calne South is within the town itself, so it seems like it’s a completely arbitrary decision.

“I think it’s bonkers given one of the key focuses of the creating of parliamentary boundaries is about retaining and maintaining community, and they want to split a town down the middle to some extent.

“It’s very odd and presumably just based on making up the numbers but I don’t think that’s a strong enough reason for splitting a town.

“I can’t think there’s a single town in Wiltshire that’s being split in half like this.”

But Cllr Thorn is concerned the boundary commission may be reluctant to change their minds.

He added, “We’re in the last chance saloon. There’s been a wholesale consultation to date and representations made by all sorts of people including Calne Town Council but whether they’ll want to make any changes is questionable because if you make one change it will have impacts on other boundaries.

“I do think it’s very very odd to split a town apart.”

Wiltshire Councillor Sam Pearce-Kearney who represents Calne South Ward echoed this.

“I’m confused as to why the boundary commission has split us up because we are one town.

“The Town Council is going to be discussing it at the next full council meeting on November 28.”