FEARS that a clean air zone charge in Bath could push air pollution into surrounding towns and villages have been raised by a Wiltshire councillor.

The local authority in Bath and North East Somerset wants to introduce the charge to curb air pollution in the city and help it to meet strict Government targets.

Now a Wiltshire councillor has organised two meetings with BANES to discuss its plans, which could see heavy lorries and other vehicles divert onto Wiltshire roads to avoid paying the charge.

Cllr Sarah Gibson, Wiltshire councillor for Bradford on Avon South and chairman of the area board’s Community Area Transport Group, has raised concerns about the potential impact on local roads.

She says the clean air zone charge – if it is imposed – could have a negative impact on surrounding towns and villages, including Bradford on Avon, with drivers seeking ways around Bath to avoid the charge.

Cllr Gibson said: “I have arranged two meetings with Cllr Mark Shelford, BANES Cabinet member for Transport and the Environment, at the end of the month to discuss the impact on our area.

“One of these meetings will include members of Bradford on Avon Town Council and Wiltshire Cabinet member for Highways, Cllr Bridget Wayman.

“We will discuss the implications for Bradford on Avon and ask what is being offered to ensure that BANES are not just moving their pollution problem to us.

“The second meeting will include Cllr Johnny Kidney, the unitary ward member for Winsley and Westwood, to look at the impact on local villages including Limpley Stoke, Winsley, Holt and Staverton.”

The first meeting will take place on Thursday, September 27. The second meeting has yet to be arranged but Cllr Gibson is hoping it will be before the end of the month.

She said traffic issues in Bradford on Avon are complex and need to be addressed at various levels: long-term strategic, medium-term regional and the more immediate local level.

The town council is gathering research before deciding whether to ask Wiltshire Council for a one-way system.

Cllr Gibson added: “Bradford is not an island and we cannot achieve workable solutions without taking account of what happens around us that has an impact on traffic flow here.

“I am liaising with Wiltshire Council Highways department and the town council to ensure that common aims are established and that any proposed solutions are modelled within the wider context of Highways England’s Strategic Road Investment Strategy and the Wiltshire Local Plan Review.

“It is via this work that a long-term solution to mitigate the issues of air pollution and pedestrian safety in the town will emerge.

“Be it toll charges, alternate one-way systems, lights or a combination of these and other ideas, any solution must be carefully considered as part of this wider context.”