A pilot scheme which could stop sat-navs luring HGVs on to unsuitable roads in Bath may soon receive the support of the Department for Transport.

Liberal Democrats in and around the city have been supporting calls for particular roads to be removed from sat-nav databases because HGVs are continually getting stuck in narrow roads.

Earlier this year Bath MP Don Foster joined the campaign by writing to the Government asking it to put pressure on navigation company NavTech to take action.

Transport minister Paul Clark has since responded to the letter and said the work taking place "sounds potentially very promising" and that his department would consider what support it could give towards it.

The Department for Transport (DfT) will now be sending a representative to the next meeting of the South West Regional Freight Forum, which works closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council and Somerset County Council to provide routes for through traffic which avoid the city centre.

Mr Foster said: "I am pleased that the DfT is 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."

Councillor Neil Butters (Lib Dem, Bathavon South) has been campaigning in Freshford, where large vehicles often use narrow roads to access the village. He said residents in the village would be delighted to hear the DfT was taking this issue seriously.

Councillor Ian Gilchrist (Lib Dem, Widcombe) has also helped highlight the issue in his ward, specifically in Greenway Lane.

He said: "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 to tackle this problem and this could be a real breakthrough."