Speech: Bath MP Stands Up For Cleveland Bridge in Parliament

20 November 2020

Wera Hobhouse led a Parliamentary debate this week on the future of Cleveland Bridge and received reassurance from Government that the protection of Bath’s historic assets, including Cleveland Bridge, is of national importance.

Responding to an Adjournment debate led by Bath MP Wera Hobhouse government Minister for Transport, Rachel Maclean, agreed that the protection of Bath and our historic assets including Cleveland Bridge is of “national importance”. In addition to she acknowledged the unsatisfactory situation of the A36/46 strategic route passing through Bath.

The Minister said:

“The Road Investment Strategy committed the government to carry out a strategic review of north/south connections between the M4 and Dorset coast. This will include a review of the case for adopting the A350 corridor as the main strategic route for the area in place of the A36/46 via Bath.”

She also, put on record her thanks for all those who have been working to deliver the Clean Air Zone

Following the Debate, Wera Hobhouse said:

“The Minister has committed to securing an alternative route for heavy freight traffic but as I said to her during the debate - this may take years and by the time it happens we may once again need to make urgent and serious repairs to Cleveland Bridge.

“The residents of Bath have made it very clear. We need a permanent 18-tonne weight restriction on Cleveland Bridge after the repairs take place. Unfortunately, the Minister stopped short of allowing us to do this, but she did not deny that this was the only viable option to protect our historic bridge.

“The Minister has left the door open to talk further and I will be taking up this offer shortly. I will continue to argue strongly that the Council should be allowed to make it the 18-tonne weight limit on Cleveland Bridge permanent, as the Bridge was never built to withstand heavy modern traffic.”

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