THE leader of Wiltshire Council, cllr Richard Clewer, says that the decision by Bath to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in the city, combined with the weight restriction on Cleveland Bridge, is pushing a further 200 lorries each day onto Westbury streets.
Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) made the decision to bring in a CAZ in 2021 to improve air quality in Bath, and the Cleveland Bridge, which was shut for 18 months so repairs could be carried out, reopened last October with an 18-tonne weight limit put in place.
Cllr Clewer says that evidence collected by Wiltshire Council showed that Westbury had seen a 20% increase in HGV traffic since the bridge was closed to heavy traffic.
“We understand the need for improvement to air quality in Bath,” he said. “However, the implementation of the CAZ, combined with the closure and subsequent weight restriction on Cleveland Bridge in Bath, has meant additional HGVs have been using roads in Wiltshire, particularly the A350 through Westbury. We have been monitoring traffic flows of long vehicles, including HGVs, buses, and coaches, in western Wiltshire on the A350 Westbury to Warminster and at Semington, and also on the A363 Farleigh Wick and B3105 Staverton.
“We noticed an increase in HGVs in the Westbury area immediately after the 18-tonne weight restriction was introduced on Cleveland Bridge in Bath. Our best estimate with the data available indicates there has been an increase of around 200 HGVs (of all sizes) in total a day, about 20% more HGVs than previously using the road – increasing from around 800 HGVs to around 1,000 HGVs a day. This figure includes a daily increase of articulated lorries on the A350 south of Westbury from around 500 to around 600, which is unacceptable for the people of west Wiltshire.
“We remain strongly opposed to both the continued weight restriction on Cleveland Bridge and the proposed CAZ changes, but we remain committed to working with the Department for Transport, National Highways and BANES to find a long-term resolution that works for all of our communities.”
Wiltshire Council declared Westbury as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) back in November 2001 for exceeding annual average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels due to air pollution from high volumes of traffic in Warminster Road and Haynes Road which are often using the A350 key route.
Cllr Ashley O’Neill, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public protection previously told White Horse News that, “As the main source of the NO2 exceedances in Westbury is due to traffic on the A350, limited improvement in air quality has been able to be achieved without significant reductions in vehicle numbers using this road. Wiltshire Council will continue work with Government to support a bypass for the town. Some improvement to school active travel plans, footpaths and support of electric vehicle charging points on new developments have been achieved.”
Becoming increasingly aware of residents’ air quality concerns, in August 2019 the town council purchased a multi-function ‘Zephyr’ air quality monitor which can be moved around the town to measure pollutants. This device can make recordings of levels of nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, ozone, and small particles.
Westbury Town Council has also set up its own Westbury Public Air Quality Portal, where you can view and download data. It can be accessed via the town council website, at www.westburytowncouncil.gov .uk/dept/air-quality-monitor/
