Keeping HGV through-traffic out of Bath

13 March 2025

Lib Dems in Bath are celebrating a new study which changes the strategic route for South coast-bound travel and will remove a big chunk of through-traffic and HGVs from the city.

Cllr Manda Rigby, Cabinet lead for Highways (left) and Wera Hobhouse MP on Cleveland Bridge in Bath

Much of the traffic travelling through Bath is heading from the M4 to the Dorset coast. This particularly includes HGVs heading to the port at Poole.

Up to now, significant volumes of traffic have taken the A46 and A36 through Bath and across the fragile, listed Cleveland Bridge, as a designated primary route.

However, the M4 to Dorset Coast: Strategic connectivity study, by National Highways, now names the A350 and A34 as the primary route for cross country travel Southwards from the M4. This will see less traffic directed via Bath over time.

The government has set aside funding to improve the A350-A34 route, which has also been welcomed by Wiltshire Council.

Councillor Manda Rigby, Lib Dem Cabinet lead for Highways, said:

“This is absolutely brilliant news for Bath. Designating a “primary” route via the A350 and A34 will help stop traffic using the city as an unsuitable through-route to and from the South coast.

“I’m extremely proud that this outcome is the result of years of lobbying from Bath’s Councillors and MPs through bodies such as the Western Gateway.

“Getting the through-HGV traffic out of Bath permanently will transform our transport network.”

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said:

“This has been a very long-standing discussion which I am proud to have kept on the table.

“For many years, Conservative MPs beyond Bath have resisted this glaringly obvious solution.

“I’m delighted that this recommendation should see the through road over Cleveland Bridge declassified which will be a fantastic outcome for people in Bath.”