WESTBURY Town Council has thrown its weight behind a fight challenging the closure of the Cleveland Bridge in Bath to lorries which is diverting traffic onto the A350 and through Westbury.
Wiltshire Council has questioned the legitimacy of Bath’s decision to enforce a weight restriction on the bridge and Westbury Town Council is getting behind the campaign.
Westbury’s councillors have also suggested that a meeting should be held with local MPs and other town councils along the A350 and cabinet members of BANES (Bath and North East Somerset) Council to discuss the impact on traffic and pollution in Wiltshire.
BANES’ weight restriction was implemented earlier this month, saying it was necessary as the bridge was under threat structurally and repair work will be carried out. As it has been labelled an ‘experimental order’, the council has been allowed to implement the 18+tonne restriction without the usual formal requirements/consultation of a normal traffic order.
There is concern from Wiltshire Council and surrounding councils that BANES want the weight restriction to be made permanent to redirect heavy traffic and improve Bath’s road safety and air quality in the London Road area. The councils are concerned that BANES will be able to make this restriction permanent, still without any consultation of surrounding councils, if complaints are not made during the first six months of the order.
The weight restriction has seen an increase of HGV vehicles over 18 tonne pass through the county, on the A350, putting further strain on the already over-capacitated road. Westbury has seen an increase of an estimated 25% – 200 lorries per day -through the town.
Wiltshire Council said, “Wiltshire Council, other neighbouring authorities, the Highways Agency, various community/parish groups and area boards have opposed this restriction on the basis that robust evidence and consultation has not been provided, and that the restriction is being proposed on a route that is part of the primary route network.
“A challenge to the legitimacy of placing a restriction on a primary route has been raised against BANES Council first informally, and then by a Freedom of Information request.”
Westbury Town Council has agreed to put its weight behind Wiltshire Council and hope other councils follow suit.
Cllr Mike Kettlety said, “I think there is a real challenge here that what BANES have done is not strictly legal and we should make that point.”
Cllr Josh Charles added, “We should encourage other councils along the A350 to also throw their weight behind Wiltshire Council. For too long we have shouted as Westbury, but not really as a coalition of the will of A350 councils or residencies.
“I think by doing that, we build up some sort of union against these actions and the impact along the A350. I propose we contact other councils, Melksham, Melksham Without, even going up to Chippenham and say ‘we are throwing our weight behind this particular Wiltshire Council issue, please support us and encourage us by doing the same thing.’”
In a letter to Westbury Town Council, traffic management and network manager for BANES said, “I am afraid there is no suitable alternative diversion route to using the A350 and this is the reason why we do not consult communities along diversion routes. I do understand the concerns raised by the town council and I can assure you that the restrictions on the bridge will only be in place as long as absolutely necessary.”
The town council is now looking to work with Westbury’s community engagement manager, Graeme Morrison, to set up an area board open meeting where they will invite all local councils along the A350, MPs Andrew Murrison and Michelle Donelan, and cabinet members of BANES to discuss the impact on traffic and pollution in Wiltshire.
Westbury Town Council has also been approached by the leader of Melksham Town Council, cllr Vanessa Fiorelli, inviting them to join their discussions on the Cleveland Bridge weight restrictions.
