SEVEN drivers have been convicted of breaching the weight limit by crossing the historic Cleveland Bridge in Bath.

Drivers of vehicles weighing more than 18 tonnes are now being reminded it is offence to cross the bridge on the A36 in after the convictions at Bath Magistrates’ Court on January 15.

The prosecutions were brought by Bath and North East Somerset Council. A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order is in place at the bridge, which has been extended until October this year.

Due to the nature of its construction and historic importance, Cleveland Bridge was made the subject of a temporary 18 tonne gross maximum weight limit order in 2020 which was most recently renewed in October 2024 for 12 months, enforced by an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera system.

It is an offence to breach the weight restriction and the council’s Trading Standards team and the police have the power to enforce it.

Numerous advance warning signs regarding the restriction are in place on all the major arterial roads leading into Bath and on the roads leading to the bridge.

The council is formally investigating breaches following an initial period of soft enforcement when the restriction was implemented, during which time drivers were issued with warning letters.

Bath Magistrates’ Court heard on January 15 how seven vehicles which exceeded the gross maximum weight limit were identified crossing Cleveland Bridge during June and July last year.

The cost of the fines from those who were convicted ranged from £107 to £330. They were also made to pay a victim surcharge, the cost of which ranges from £43 to £132.

Each driver also made a contribution to costs, which was £375 for everyone apart from one individual who did not attend Bath Magistrates’ Court who was made to pay a £750 contribution to costs.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “We have extended the weight restriction in place on the Grade II* listed Cleveland Bridge to protect its safety and integrity while monitoring continues.

“As a structural weight restriction, the order applies to all vehicles including coaches and therefore it is illegal to breach it if your vehicle’s gross maximum weight is over 18 tonnes.

“We know that out of all of the vehicles going over the bridge from October 2022 until now, only 0.08 percent are exceeding the weight limit and are at risk of enforcement. Since monitoring began, we have had 12.5 million trips over the bridge and less than 11,000 exceedances have been observed, companies warned and where appropriate enforced against.

“We encourage drivers of larger vehicles travelling through Bath to be aware of the plated weight and individual axle weights for their vehicle and to plan their route well in advance, so that Cleveland Bridge can be avoided during your journey.”

Following the completion of the council’s Cleveland Bridge renovation project which included repairs and waterproofing, the bridge reopened to two-way traffic under an 18-tonne weight limit Order with ANPR cameras in place. Find more information on the Cleveland Bridge renovation project webpage