The Department for Transport will be sending a representative to the next meeting of the South West Regional Freight Forum, following Bath MP Don Foster’s request that they support a local pilot scheme which will see local authorities provide appropriate routes to Sat Nav companies.

In reply to Don’s letter, sent on the 12th August, Paul Clark MP the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Transport states that the work undertaken “sounds potentially very promising”.

Lib Dems in Bath have been backing calls for more appropriate routes for traffic, especially HGVs, and encouraged Bath & North East Somerset Council to start sending a representative to the Freight Forum. Now the DfT will be represented at the meetings and will “consider what support [they] can provide.”

Bath MP Don said, “I am pleased that the Department for Transport are showing a keen interest in this project. I have highlighted a number of areas in Bath where HGVs are using totally inappropriate routes and getting these routes removed from Sat Nav maps will be a big step to helping resolve the problem.

“With the DfT’s backing, this pilot project could really take off. It is a common sense approach to resolving this issue.”

Bathavon South Cllr Neil Butters (Lib Dem) has been campaigning in Freshford, where large vehicles often use narrow roads to access the village. He added, “Residents in Freshford will be delighted to hear that the DfT are taking this issue seriously, and that moves are being made to try to reduce the impact of HGVs on the village.”

Widcombe Cllr Ian Gilchrist (Lib Dem) has helped highlight the issue in his ward, specifically in Greenway Lane. He commented, “It is great news to get a positive response from the DfT, this could really see the scheme get going.

“Greenway Lane residents are sick and tired of large vehicles trying to use this narrow road as a cut through. Lib Dems in Bath have been working hard to try and tackle this problem and this could be a real breakthrough.”