Local MP Chris Skidmore has written to Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Council to raise his concerns over Wessex Water’s proposal to construct a new private single lane vehicular access road, including a bridge over the River Avon at Swineford.

Chris has detailed the views of his constituents resident in Bitton and Swineford, many of whom have contacted him in recent weeks to express their concerns over this proposal. These concerns particularly relate to the potential impact on traffic, flood risk and landscape locally if the application is successful.

Chris states:

“As the Member of Parliament representing the part of South Gloucestershire nearest to this site, I have written to object to this application unless a number of matters are resolved to the satisfaction of Bitton and Swineford residents, namely:

“Robust flood mitigation measures to address the fact that the A431 floods regularly, which is set to worsen as a result of climate change. Several of my residents are expert in these matters and I would urge that their representations are given the technical weight that they deserve;

“Mature planting as part of a significant ‘net gain’ for wildlife and ecology to restore the natural screening that we stand to lose should this application be approved. Local flora and fauna are integral to the character of the local area and the local Green Belt and AONB designations;

“Comprehensive action to address traffic impact and to improve accessibility and road safety. Local residents are already experiencing increased HGV traffic, noise, vibration and air pollution on a route that is vulnerable to road closures and flooding events, and the proposed traffic from this application (both construction and operation) will only worsen this. This is as a result of the Clean Air Zone and works linked to the closure of Cleveland Bridge in Bath. The cumulative impact of these different interventions must be considered when analysing this application.”