A width restriction could be brought in on a section of the A37 with the aim of preventing HGVs driving through a polluted village.

It is one of several measures that an Air Quality Action Plan adopted by Bath and North East Somerset Council this month suggests to tackle pollution in the villages of Temple Cloud and Farrington Gurney.

The plan proposes the move as a way to prevent HGVs driving though Temple Cloud, while suggesting that in Farrington Gurney, another lane could be built to keep traffic flowing.

Air quality in the two small villages is negatively affected by the busy A-road which runs through them, and the Air Quality Action Plan proposes measures a range of measures to reduce the amount of Nitrogen Dioxide pollution affecting the villages by aiming to prevent traffic stopping and starting.

The plan, which went through consultation with the local communities in 2020, was officially adopted by the council in April. The plan constitutes a list of proposed measures to tackle air pollution, some of which are already being carried out, although it does not commit the council to the actions.

Modelling was carried out on the impact of introducing a width restriction on the A37 as it goes though Temple Cloud. The plan states: "This option has, not unexpectedly, a significant positive effect on the improvement of air quality in Temple Cloud as it removes most of the vehicles (HGVs) that cause the present two-way passage conflicts in the narrow section.

"However, this scenario has been modelled with little consideration as to where affected HGVs would re-route and what effect they may have on those other roads. This is included as an option in the plan, but further work is needed to establish whether it is possible to implement this without unacceptable impacts on surrounding villages, businesses and operators of HGVs.

"Further work is also needed on how the width restriction would be enforced."

Further design work is also required on the proposal for a new lane in Farrington Gurney. It is suggested that a new southbound lane leading up to the junction with the A362, which leads to Midsomer Norton, could reduce the traffic stopping and starting in the village. 

But the plan warns: "There is limited width of highway land available and the initial design for this option results in the loss of the verge on the east side of the road, which will mean passing vehicles are travelling much closer to pedestrians using the footway than they do now.

"This will create a less comfortable environment for pedestrians and may deter some people from walking here. It will also mean traffic is passing closer to houses which back onto this section of the A37."

Other measures included in the plan include the planting of more trees near the road in Farrington Gurney, informing the public about air pollution, and cutting back vegetation over narrow parts of the road in Temple Cloud.