Sat Navs can be a nightmare when drivers just simply follow the instructions without thought or care. We have several unsuitable routes round here. The dog leg at the bottom of my road being an example with towed caravans getting stuck from time to time.

Our MP Don Foster and Liberal Democrat Councillor Neil Butters are leading a campaign to get new road signs warning sat nav drivers and also working with the companies concerned to avoid sending vehicles down unsuitable roads. Currently they are working on lorry signs but I think some for car drivers towing caravans etc would be useful too.

Letter from Neil to the Department

Dear Mr Hanson

I represent six parishes on Bath & North East Somerset Council.  One of these is Freshford.  You may have seen some press publicity recently about problems in Freshford, in particular in Ashe’s Lane. 

Anyhow, the bottom line is that Freshford does have a problem, with three lanes – the others being Rosemary Lane and Dark Lane .  The person most affected is a guy by the name of Alan Cunningham, an ex-Mail on Sunday journalist, who lives right on a crucial bend.  He has some dramatic photos…

You will no doubt be aware that Bath MP Don Foster has written to the Secretary of State about this.  A DfT spokesman has been quoted as saying that you are developing a new sign which should help.

Could you kindly let me know how your work is progressing on this front?

Regards Neil Butters Lib Dem, Bathavon South, B&NES

And the response

Dear Cllr Butters

Thank you for your email that Graham Hanson has forwarded to me to reply.

I am pleased to tell you that we have designed two informatory sigs to warn HGV drivers of an unsuitable route to take and I have attached the working drawings for your information. As these signs are not prescribed in current regulations, the relevant highway authority would need to apply to this Department for an authorisation which will allow them to use the signs countywide.

We have received an authorisation application from Peter Bailey of Bath and North East Somerset Council which will be processed shortly, and, just in case he is not already aware, you may wish to contact him with regard to having the signs sited near the problem area that is in Freshford.

Do get back in touch if you have any other questions.

Kind regards Judith Tracey