Village turning into a 'rat run' as residents rattled by increase in traffic
Residents of a charming village in South Gloucestershire have spoken about their unhappiness with the state of local infrastructure, which appears to be overlooked amidst the expansion of nearby areas. We have recently highlighted issues such as trucks rumbling through Pilning causing one homeowner's house to shake, and now, more locals are voicing their concerns over how Bristol's and South Gloucestershire's growth is impacting their community.
Pilning embodies the essence of a comfortable, rural village, boasting well-loved family-owned pubs like The Plough Inn and The King's Arms and featuring a picturesque Victorian parish church. The village benefits from the hourly Stagecoach 12 bus service connecting Bristol Parkway to Severn Beach, but those wishing to venture to Bristol city centre must first navigate their way to Cribbs Causeway via this route.
One Pilning resident lamented the high volume of traffic on the road past his home, branding it a "rat run" and noting: "Whenever the A403 is closed from Pilning traffic lights, then the vehicles are diverted through Pilning and Easter Compton."
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A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared details of a "near miss" with an overhanging truck while driving his car, speaking out against the heavy vehicles flouting the 7.5-tonne weight limit in Easter Compton and Pilning. The restrictions are typically in place but were temporarily lifted while the A403 underwent works from August 21 to 31, reports Bristol Live.
Meanwhile, traffic woes in Pilning have surged, with one resident citing that the flow has "increased exponentially" following the development of the Tesco and Amazon warehouses at the Western Approach Distribution Centre, which is merely a four-minute drive away.
Pilning holds the distinction of having one of the UK's least frequented train stations. Great Western Railway describes the station as offering an "extremely sparse service", with just two weekly trains making the journey to Penzance.
Plans for extensive housing developments are outlined in South Gloucestershire Council's local plan stretching up to 2040, which includes 20,490 new homes. In Easter Compton, close to Pilning, proposals suggest building 790 homes, generating concern among locals regarding the capacity of vital roads like the B4055, as no significant upgrades are proposed despite the impending growth.
The commencement of the M49 motorway junction construction is expected to alleviate some traffic strain in the surrounding areas. According to the latest information from South Gloucestershire Council in March 2024, the project is set to kick off this summer with a projected duration of 12 months.
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council mentioned, "We are aware of local concerns around traffic in Pilning and our Highways Officers have liaised with residents, the Local Ward Member and Parish Council around ways of making improvements. Over recent years we've implemented a 20mph zone and various traffic calming schemes, including the installation of speed tables in the local area."
The spokesperson continued, "Monitoring of the reduced speed limits in place is encouraging and motorists and road users are responsible for adhering to these limits, along with the weight restrictions in place, as failure to do so may result in a criminal conviction. Although the council has some limited powers to enforce certain traffic restrictions, instances of dangerous or inconsiderate driving should be reported to the Police."