Writhlington Action Group (WAG) is delighted with the group’s latest success – an enforced weight limit on a well-known local rat run.

As a result of the group’s actions, a 3 tonne weight limit and 3.3 metres maximum height limit is now in place at The Combe, Lower Writhlington.

Residents in Writhlington were fed up with the volume and size of vehicles driving to and from Peasedown St John along single-track lanes, Green Parlour/The Coombe and Church Hill. These roads lead to the 1.8m wide bridge over Wellow Brook and a blind 90-degree bend underneath the railway arch.

This very congested road was often blocked by large vehicles, which became stuck under the bridge.

Representatives from WAG contacted a Senior Traffic Engineer from B&NES Council in August 2019 to see if anything could be done to improve the situation. They met at the site a few weeks later to highlight the issue and discuss what action could be taken.

A survey of the bridge and roads was carried out and five road signs with the height and weight limits were agreed on each of the roads leading to this bridge.

WAG were impressed by the swift and helpful response of B&NES officers.

The signs were due to have been installed in March but, due to the lockdown, this was delayed until June 2020. There has been a significant improvement since the signs have been installed, but there are still some larger vehicles that are not taking note of the restrictions.

WAG was formed in 2018 to object to a planning application for 160 homes on agricultural land in Writhlington. It has nearly 200 members and until Covid-19, held regular meetings in Writhlington Village Hall to discuss any local concerns and progress on any projects.