Lorries - Bath try again

Following the government's rejection of their scheme to effectively ban lorries from using Cleveland Bridge, Bath council are now looking at other ways of restricting HGV traffic.

They've received funding for a study into the feasibility of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city, looking particularly at the A36 London Road approach.

Much of central Bath has been declared an Air Quality Management Area because of the high levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution. Research has shown the whilst lorries, buses and coaches represent just 6% of the traffic by volume, they cause 60% of the pollution.

The effect of a LEZ would be to ban those lorries which emitted the most pollutants. This of course raises the possibility that they would then divert into Wiltshire.

The most likely place for a LEZ to be imposed would be London Road and Bathwick Street, because this is where residential properties are most affected.

Bath have learnt the lessons from their previous failure and are at least consulting with Wiltshire Council this time, though WC haven't yet provided a response.

There's more information on Bath's intentions at www.bathnes.gov.uk/LEZstudy

Comments can be submitted to Robin Spalding at environmental_monitoring@bathnes.gov.uk , 01225 396517