Council leaders to decide future of transport for Hereford

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Monday, 23 November 2020 14:08

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

County council leaders are expected to make a decision next month which could shape the future of transport in Hereford for decades to come.

A new coalition of Independent, It’s Our County and Green Party councillors took control of Herefordshire Council after the local government elections in May last year.

This changing of the guard at Plough Lane saw the previous Conservative administration’s planned western bypass scheme halted.

The new infrastructure and transport cabinet member John Harrington decided to pause and review both the Hereford Transport Package and South Wye Transport Package.

This meant all work on the proposed southern link road, which was planned to connect the A49 Ross road with the A465 Abergavenny road south of Hereford, was also paused and subject to a review.

Council leaders agreed to spend up to £451,000 on reviewing both schemes and its findings have now been published.

This Hereford transport strategy review was presented to councillors on the scrutiny committee earlier this month who have made a series of recommendations to cabinet.

Among these are calls to abandon the previous administration’s planned western bypass and to instead opt for an eastern river crossing which would connect Rotherwas with the B4224.

Cabinet is expected to consider the transport strategy review on December 3.