Take our roads off the sat-navs, urge residents fed up with lorries

By fcrump

Residents and councillors have declared war on satellite navigation systems in Widcombe and Freshford after the devices directed lorries through inappropriate routes.

They say HGVs are continually getting stuck in narrow roads in the areas as sat-navs direct them along the unsuitable roads.

Bath MP Don Foster has written to the Government asking it to put pressure on navigation company NavTech to remove particular roads from its database.

He said the company was usually reluctant to take such action on single roads but hoped writing to the Secretary of State would encourage them to do so.

Ashes Lane in Freshford - which is just 6ft 6 ins wide - and a length of Greenway Lane at Widcombe, are of particular concern to residents.

Mr Foster said: "We are seeing more and more examples of drivers following their sat-navs and ending up driving on inappropriate roads.

"HGV drivers can get stuck down incredibly narrow roads, as this is happening to drivers using this route into Freshford.

"If the Department for Transport were to take up this issue nationally then we could see a different result."

Cllr Neil Butters (Lib Dem, Bathavon South) said HGVs using Ashes Lane instead of Church Lane was a growing concern.

He said: "Residents, the parish council and I are all delighted that Don has written to the Secretary of State on this issue.

"We need to be able to get companies to remove these roads from their suggested routes, which would benefit both residents and drivers."

Cllr Ian Gilchrist (Lib Dem, Widcombe) also expressed his concern about the issue after continual problems in Greenway Lane, which is often used as a rat-run.

He said: "Large vehicles using this road often get stuck and cause delays, as well as a massive inconvenience to local residents."

Mr Foster said recent research had shown that the north to south through route of Bath was one of the most dangerous provided by sat-nav companies.

Councillors have now begun a campaign to provide information to lorry drivers about more appropriate routes.