‘HGVS using our lane as a rat-run’
Bath residents fear a serious accident will happen on the “dangerous HGV rat run” on which they live.
Freezinghill Lane has become a commuter lane in and out of Bath but residents living along the narrow route say HGVS are a “very serious and dangerous issue”.
Once concerned resident, Jeremy Humphries, said the narrowness of the road, combined with signage which indicates it is the way to the M4, makes it a “serious accident waiting to happen”.
The road leads to Lansdown Park and Ride which serves Bath city centre from the A46 corridor, linking to Junction18 of the M4.
He said: “We’ve had enough, the road’s simply too narrow for HGVS to come down here. It’s a lane not a major road. I’ve no problem with cars but the situation as it is now makes the road lethal to locals and commuters.
“HGVS - especially coaches - use Freezinghill Lane as a rat run to and from the city of Bath.
“I’ve been in discussion with South Gloucestershire council since 2012 drawing their attention to the danger of oversize HGVS having to drive on the wrong side of the lane - the lane’s simply too narrow.
“My issue is that South Gloucestershire have been at best reluctant to see this as a problem and I’m of a mind to believe that the feasibility study will be an opportunity for them to sort the car congestion something I approve of.
“But also the fact that Bath and North East Somerset Council are contributing funds for the Toghill/ Freezinghill study, makes me suspicious that our lane is earmarked to relieve a long-term traffic issue in the Bath hinterland with the free flow of HGVS down an unclassified road and what I fear will culminate in a serious accident.”
The road is not far from Weston
Lane, where the tipper truck tragedy occurred five years ago. Four people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed after a HGV’S brakes failed on the steep hill.
Mr Humphries said: “While that awful accident had unique circumstances I do worry an accident involving a HGV will happen here.
“We see HGVS come down here almost every hour and they are over the central line, causing a gridlock. They are absolutely huge.”
He added the sign directing people to the M4 is misleading and that a weight restriction should be put in place.
Currently South Gloucestershire Council are doing a feasibility study with Bath and North East Somerset Council to assess options for improving access between the A420 and Lansdown Park and Ride.
They are considering two potential routes Freezinghill Lane and Bath Road. The feasibility work will be complete by summer 2020.
South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member for transport, Councillor Steve Reade said: “The feasibility study is to assess options for access improvements from the A420 to Lansdown Park and Ride, and assess two potential routes,
Freezinghill and Bath Road, which would include the A420/gorse Lane junction.
“This should enable outline designs, modelling, safety assessments and consultation of the preferred option to be undertaken leading to a decision on the development of a full business case.”
Bath and North East Somerset have been approached for comment.
Another resident, Amanda Cann, said she thinks the road is a “nightmare”, adding she wants to see the speed limit lowered and a double white line put in place.