A new bridge across the River Avon to take lorries off a tight stretch of road in Saltford has sparked concerns in a neighbouring village.

Wessex Water wants to build the new structure to improve access to the water recycling centre ahead of its planned expansion to meet future demand.

Currently HGVs have to negotiate pinch points and height restrictions on High Street and Mead Lane, a route that is prone to flooding.

The utility company has submitted plans for a new 400-metre access road to the A431 at Bitton and a new single span bridge for use by its vehicles and walkers to cross the river.

The plans say: "The scheme seeks to address the constraints associated with the existing access which is inadequate for HGV traffic and impacts of traffic on Saltford Conservation Area.

"The improvement to the access is required both to support routine operations at the water recycling centre and to support future development at the water recycling centre, which in turn will support housing and economic growth."

Wessex Water said the need to maintain access to the site represented an exceptional circumstance to allow the development in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the green belt. Some habitat will be lost but it is proposing to create wetland habitats and plant trees.

The application has been met with 14 objections so far, with some asking why Wessex Water should get special treatment.

George Oliver, who lives in the South Gloucestershire village of Bitton, said: "If everyone with property / land adjacent to the river wished to build a private bridge for their own use it would be denied – so why a sewage works?

"For me the benefits to the general public definitely don't outweigh the negatives to the construction of the bridge, impact on a beautiful area of river all for a company's selfish attitude so they don't have to drive as far."

Cassie Perryman added: "It seems insane to send heavy plant traffic through a small village and past a primary school when there is no benefit to the village itself and traffic is already problematic."

Martine Kinsman said the scheme would be "disastrous" for Bitton, which already suffers from traffic "thundering" through the village.

Saltford residents saw things differently and supporter Heather Angus said the bridge can "only benefit all residents in Saltford", while Richard Staples said the proposal to remove large vehicles from High Street and Mead Lane was "eminently sensible".

Double yellow lines have recently been painted in Mead Lane after Saltford Parish Council raised safety concerns following "numerous instances of dangerous and inconsiderate parking" and "scenes of gridlock".

Nearby in The Shallows it has worked with Bath and North East Somerset Council to create Saltford's first resident parking zone.

If the new bridge is approved by the council, Wessex Water expects construction work to start next spring and take 12 months. A stretch of the River Avon Trail will need to be diverted.

The application can be found on B&NES Council's planning portal using the reference 21/02322/FUL.