Round table talks over B&NES and Wiltshire traffic issues including the issue of the key Cleveland Bridge

Council leaders and MPs have held round table talks to address the North-South traffic issues affecting Bath & North East Somerset and neighbours Wiltshire County Council.

The move follows a recommendation, approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council's cabinet to work with Wiltshire Council, and the Sub-Regional Transport Board, to complete a strategic study into north-south connectivity between the M4 and the Dorset Coast with an aim of making the A350 the strategic route and limiting HGV use of Cleveland Bridge.

Bath & North East Somerset Council hosted a meeting, called by Bath MP Wera Hobhouse MP and joined by Michelle Donelan, MP for Chippenham. Around the table were Wiltshire Council leader Councillor Richard Clewer and Councillor Mark McClelland, Wiltshire's cabinet member for Highways.

They were joined by Councillor Kevin Guy, Bath & North East Somerset Council leader, Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport and Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for Economic Development and Resources.

Councillor Guy said: "We held a very constructive talks and I want to thank Wera Hobhouse for calling the meeting and for Michelle Donelan and councillors Richard Clewer and Mark McClelland for coming along to the Guildhall to talk with us.

"It goes without saying that we all want our fair share of cleaner air and less pollution generated by HGVs on our roads. We are saying there has to be a fairer and better way of getting freight to and from the M4 to all the southern ports and that it cannot all come through the heart of Bath and across Cleveland Bridge. This was an opportunity to express our concerns with our neighbours and understand what the next steps and options are to tackle this issue regionally.

"We have agreed to continue talking and will be taking up Wiltshire's invite to meet in Westbury to understand their traffic issues."