***UPDATE: North Somerset Council have agreed to keep the bridge open! A huge thank you to every-one who signed the petition to make this happen.***

We, the undersigned, are against North Somerset Council’s proposed closure of Wolvershill bridge over the M5 to all traffic except buses and for active travel use.

Closing the bridge will:

• Encourage the use of rat runs to avoid a longer dog leg journey using the A371/A370.
• Force existing traffic onto the only current alternative – the congested A371/A370 route.
• Force future Wolvershill traffic travelling north to instead head south and around.
• Increase journey times especially during peak hours.
• Increase traffic emissions due to the extra distances and time being driven.
• Make it more difficult for residents to access facilities such as the largest nearby supermarket, Worle station and M5 J21.
• Impede North Somerset’s net zero ambitions. Any increase in walking/cycling will be more than offset by extra vehicular emissions.
• Split Banwell’s community into two separate areas.
• Be dependent on little more than a hope that a more frequent bus service will be provided

Instead, we urge North Somerset Council to:

• Keep the bridge open and widen it for active travel purposes
• Implement traffic mitigation measures within the new estates adjacent to Wolvershill Road
• Consider lowering the speed limit on Wolvershill Road
• Re-submit the Local Plan for public consultation including any future road improvements
• Consider re-submitting a proposal for closing the bridge once viable alternative routes are open and there’s evidence promised bus services are operational.