Plans for HGV clampdown in Bath must not harm deliveries
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roger. hrowniar Imco.uk
THE ROAD HAULAGE Association (RHA) and Freight Transport Association (FTA) say a proposed clampdown on HGV traffic in Bath city centre must not be allowed to affect deliveries.
The Conservatives, which control Bath and North East Somerset Council. say one of their five priorities during the next 12 months is to take "action to reduce the number of HC.iV's travelling through Bath to tackle the city's congestion"
A spokesman for the party says it will not be able to provide further details about its plans -until later this year".
However, Ian Gallagher, ETA policy manager for the South-West, says possible measures, such as a permit scheme for hauliers, must be "properly thought through" . He adds:i Ii are .1 oL congestion alongside e% er\ one else. and deliveries into the town centre must not be affected. Removing trucks along the main routes into the city, qJL:11 as London Road, will score a lot of political points. but not solve the congestion problem."
Mike Moore. RHA area manager for the South-West. says a solution to the problem could he to build a bypass round Westbury. Wiltshire. to take traffic from the A36 onto the A350 but that in today's climate "it probably \-yoril attract the funding". He adds: 'There should be no impact on deliveries to shops in the centre of Bath."
Robert Wilcox. MD at Chilcompton, Somerset-based haulage firm Massey Wilcox Transport. urges the authorities to consider upgrading the A350, as well as fund a Westbury by-pass.