Bridge petition launched

An online petition calling on the government to take action on the city’s historic Cleveland Bridge has been launched by Bath MP Wera Hobhouse..

B&NES has now approved repairs to the Grade 2 * bridge, with special attention to the 1929 concrete platform. 

Two weeks ago Bath’s MP wrote to the Secretary of State, Grant Shapps, asking him to hold a meeting with MPs in the Western Gateway Transport Board to discuss upgrading the A350 and directing A4, Bristol-bound traffic to the A420. 

Commenting on this most recent development in the campaign, the MP said: 

“In 2012 the Secretary of State told us that we couldn’t unilaterally impose an 18t weight limit on Cleveland Bridge. And yet we know see the situation becoming increasingly urgent. We cannot keep spending millions of pounds every few years, repairing the damage done by 40 tonne lorries. 

“We have a unique listed structure that was never designed for this heavy traffic, yet the Department for Transport is insisting that it remains open to the heaviest lorries as part of the strategic route from the south coast ports to the M4. 

“Back in 2012 the government told us to work through the Western Gateway Transport Board, to get the weight limit changed. In reply to my recent letter, government Minister Baroness Vere has confirmed that this is still their preferred option. However, it is taking far too long.  

“That is why I am launching this petition, so that residents of Bath can let the Secretary of State know exactly how they feel. The government needs to instil urgency into this process. 

“My petition calls for urgent work to begin to adopt the A350 as the strategic north-south route, and to redirect east-west traffic to the A420, north of Bath. I would encourage everyone in Bath to add their support to this important campaign.”

Petition link, to be found on Wera Hobhouse’s website – https://www.werahobhouse.co.uk/cleveland_bridge_traffic