18-tonne weight restriction being proposed on notoriously steep hill

An 18-tonne weight restriction is being proposed on a route on the outskirts of Bath, which is a notoriously difficult climb for HGVs.

The weight limit order is being proposed between the Globe Roundabout on the A4 Bristol Road and the Red Lion Roundabout on the A367 junction with Wellsway.

The route includes Pennyquick, Whiteway Road, Rush Hill and Frome Road.

Bath & North East Somerset Council says there would be “no defined alternative”, but there are “options”.

“HGVs can either drive into and out of Bath on the ‘A’ classified road network, which would involve passing through the Clean Air Zone, or make decisions earlier in their journey regarding the route that they intend to follow.

“For example, a driver passing through the Radstock area heading towards Bristol could choose to follow the A37, and vice-versa.”

Odd Down councillor Joel Hirst, also speaking on behalf of fellow Liberal Democrat ward member Steve Hedges, said: “We are very supportive of this proposal. For too long residents have been blighted by through HGVs on this route.

“Residents will be very supportive of the implementation of the scheme and would like robust enforcement.”

He said it is not an appropriate route for through HGVs, evidenced by the number that break down.

Councillor Duncan Hounsell (Saltford, Liberal Democrat) said: “I am fully in support of this proposal which will take the heaviest vehicles away from Pennyquick.

“The road has bends and steep slopes and is unsuitable for these vehicles”

At the informal consultation stage, the police warned it would not be possible to dedicate an enforcement presence to such a restriction, saying: “The signage and any other physical measures to be introduced to enforce / heighten motorist awareness of the proposed scheme is therefore of importance. Any enforcement will be targeted and intelligence-led”

In response, council officers said people would be able to report any abuse of weight restrictions on the council’s website as an alternative to enforcement by the police, and it was proposed that the direction signing at each end of the route would be significantly modified to include advance warning of the new weight restriction from all directions.

“Warning of the gradient of Whiteway Road would also be added to some of these signs as appropriate,” they said.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals has until 1st January.