Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire Council is taking the matter to the Secretary of State.

The following has been sent by Cllr. Dick Tonge who is the relevant Cabinet member at WC.

'Some Members will be aware of the Council’s efforts to persuade Bath and North East Somerset Council to abandon their proposal to introduce a HGV ban over Cleveland Bridge in Bath. Concerns have been expressed about the potential impact any ban may have on increasing the number of HGV’s travelling through Wiltshire.

Despite those efforts, BaNES have recently written to us, reaffirming their intention to proceed with the scheme.

Wiltshire Council, along with Somerset County Council and the Highways Agency have therefore decided to lodge an appeal with the Secretary of State for Transport. This appeal process is a relatively recent option, introduced as part of the Department for Transport’s new rules relating to road classification.

The appeal was lodged with DfT earlier this week - given the interest in this matter, I thought you would like to see a copy of the formal submission which is attached.

We unable to predict how long DfT will take to either reject or allow the appeal, however I do not expect it to be a particularly lengthy exercise.

I will keep you informed of the outcome.'

I haven't attached the actual letter but will forward it to anyone that particularly wants to read it.