Bath HGV bridge ban could be extended for another year, with consequences for Westbury – By local democracy reporter John Wimperis, additional reporting by Tait ap Ellis

A LISTED bridge in Bath is being treated as more important than the health of people in Westbury, Wiltshire Council leader, cllr Richard Clewer has warned. 

Cleveland Bridge has had an 18-tonne weight limit effectively closing it to lorries since it reopened after its 2021 closure. Now, Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) plans to extend the weight limit for another year as they monitor the impact of traffic on the Grade II listed Georgian bridge. 

But the bridge plays a key role linking the A4 and A36 and with the limit in place, lorries heading from the M4 to the south coast are having to go along the A350 instead — sending the huge vehicles straight through the centre of Westbury. 

Wiltshire Council revealed in May of this year that following the implementation of the clean air zone in Bath, alongside the HGV ban on Cleveland Bridge, 200 extra HGVs of all sizes are being pushed through Westbury’s stretch of the A350 a day – meaning 20% more HGVs are using the road compared to last year. 

Cllr Clewer said, “We shouldn’t be putting a listed bridge ahead of the health of people in a town not that far away. 

“I don’t pretend this is easy. I don’t want to be beating [BANES] up for dealing with an air quality problem they need to deal with. […] I understand they need to preserve the bridge — but it’s a bridge on the A36.” 

Cllr Clewer said he hoped the Bath council would “engage” with Wiltshire Council to fix the problem without moving it elsewhere. He added the first he heard of the ban being extended was when he was contacted by the local democracy reporting service. He said, “That’s no way to work with neighbouring authorities.” 

BANES said they were extending the weight limit so that they can continue to monitor the structure of the bridge and whether it remains safe.  

Manda Rigby, BANES council cabinet member for transport said, “We’re aware extending the weight limit will result in some vehicles using alternate routes and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, however safety is our top priority and the weight limit is in place for the safety of all road users on Cleveland Bridge. Monitoring of the structure is ongoing and data is continuously being collected. 

“Structural engineers have advised that monitoring over a number of months is required in order that sufficient data can be collected as to how the bridge responds to environmental changes during different temperatures and seasons. Until sufficient data has been collected and analysed, engineers are unable to approve changing the temporary 18 tonne weight limit.” 

The bridge was fully closed in 2021 after surveys raised structural issues, later reopening for one-way traffic. It reopened to two-way traffic in October 2022 after repairs were made, but has had the 18-tonne limit in place since.