Council launches new bid to cut HGV numbers in city
Council leaders have pledged to find a way to restrict lorries travelling through Bath.
They have instructed highways officers to draw up a draft traffic regulation order (TRO) for Cleveland Bridge, as the temporary 18-tonne limit, in place on the Grade Ii*-listed structure since last year ahead of £3.5million of repairs, nears an end.
But Bath and North East Somerset Council cabinet members admit they face a tough task because a ban on the heaviest HGVS would require the agreement of other local authorities, National Highways and ultimately the government, as it is part of the strategic road network.
And it has been tried before, in 2012, and failed. Now, though, the Liberal Democrat administration has said it is giving it another go - despite officers warning a TRO is likely to be thrown out again.
Their report to members said: “It is considered highly likely that, were B&NES to make a TRO now, it would be appealed and the Secretary of State would be likely to allow the appeal for the same reasons as set out in 2012.”
Members had been set to approve a report to cabinet on September 9 to continue working with Wiltshire and Dorset councils and the Western Gateway transport board on a strategic review of north-south main routes from the M4 to the south coast, along with a vague recommendation to “progress work on any of the other mechanisms which might also result in HGVS not using Cleveland Bridge”.
While they agreed to continue that work, deputy leader Councillor Richard Samuel tabled an amendment asking officers to prepare a draft TRO for the bridge to restrict lorries using the city as a cut-through and to consult heritage groups and residents, which was passed unanimously.
Officers will also investigate other options that may achieve a similar result and report back to cabinet in November.
Cabinet member for transport Councillor Manda Rigby told the meeting at Bath Guildhall that the 200-year-old bridge was on schedule to reopen three months after closing and the weight limit would expire once the repairs were completed.
She said: “Work on the Western Gateway project is ongoing. The amount of time this will take is counted in decades, not years. We can’t assume regional agreement will be reached and we can’t just wait for this to be a solution.”
She said much had changed since the failed TRO bid in 2012, including the climate emergency declaration and millions spent upgrading Wiltshire roads, including the A350 which she said should replace the A36/A46 that passes over Cleveland Bridge as the main strategic route.
“It stands a better chance of success now than it did,” Ms Rigby said. “If we don’t manage to find a mechanism to reduce HGVS using Bath as a through-route, it won’t be for the want of trying.”
Mr Samuel said: “It’s time to put an end to the daily procession of oversized lorries through our historic streets.”