An 18-tonne weight restriction is being proposed between the Globe Roundabout on the A4 Bristol Road past Rush Hill and Whiteway Road up to the Red Lion Roundabout on the A367 junction with Wellsway.
According to an article in Bath Echo; Bath & North East Somerset Council says there would be “no defined alternative” route, but there are “options”. “For example, a driver passing through the Radstock area heading towards Bristol could choose to follow the A37, and vice-versa.”
https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/politics/weight-restriction-proposed-steep-hill-114537/
This suggests that very heavy vehicles travelling to Bristol and the wider motorway network from Radstock and the A367 could move to the A37 through Temple Cloud, Clutton, Pensford and Whitchurch.
The A37 already experiences problems with HGVs being unable to pass each other on the narrow sections of the A37 particularly the narrow section of the A37 on Pensford Hill where two large vehicles cannot get through if they meet on the narrow section of the road. The additional HGVs could also add to the problems in Temple Cloud, which historically had a significant issue with traffic fumes (specifically nitrogen dioxide leading to the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) along the A37. The largest heavy goods vehicles travelling to Bristol, would move from the much wider A4 through Saltford onto the A37 through Pensford, where they would pass immediately in front of the village school.
This proposed new weight restriction is completely separate from the existing 18 tonne limit on Cleveland Bridge, but combined they will seemingly result in the diversion of all the largest HGVs away from Bath and the surrounding area on to roads like the A37.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals has until 1st January. Representations with respect to the proposal, together with the grounds on which they are made must be sent by 1st Jan 2026 either in writing to the TRO Team at the address below, or by email to TROs@bathnes.gov.uk Please quote the title of the scheme; (25-042) (Pennyquick 18t, Bath) (18t Heavy Vehicle Weight Limit) Order 202* with the reference TRO 25-042.
https://publicnoticeportal.uk/notice/traffic-and-roads/693a7aa5348f4dedfbf5de25