The developer of the Bath Press site at Lower Bristol Road said this week that associated vehicle movements are being “closely monitored”.
The Bath Press site | Photo © Bath Echo
It follows reports the Echo has received about lorries from MJ Church and another construction company using the A431 through Kelston and Bitton in breach of planning conditions.
The site on Lower Bristol Road is being redeveloped for housing by City & Country.
In October we reported that tipper trucks taking waste material from the site to Wick Quarry had been using the A431 as an unofficial short cut.
Then cement mixer lorries were caught travelling to and from the site along the A431.
The council issued a Breach of Condition Notice to the developers of the Bath Press site on 11th December, requiring compliance within 28 days.
There have been concerns about the impact of heavy lorries on the bridge over the River Avon in Bitton village as four years ago it was revealed that it might need strengthening or even replacing.
This week, City & Country confirmed that MJ Church is its contractor.
In a statement Simon Vernon-Harcourt, design and planning director for City & Country, said: “We have been very clear that all sub-contractors must adhere to the agreed construction management plan.
“Following rigorous checks on site activity, we have confirmed that our contractor has complied with the agreed guidelines, aside from an isolated deviation which was immediately identified and corrected. The other contractor in question is not and has never been associated with Bath Press.
“We are continuing to monitor vehicle movements closely and will not hesitate to take appropriate action should any breaches of the agreed plan occur. We are also keeping the local authority informed on this matter.”
This week the council said: “The developer was served notice for breaching the conditions attached to the Bath Press, which came into effect on 8th January 2026. Since then, the council has received no evidence that the notice is being breached.”
