Eastern bridge could be built in five years

An eastern link connecting Rotherwas with the Ledbury Road in Hereford could be achieved within five years, council chiefs believe.

Infrastructure and transport cabinet member John Harrington says they will begin the work as a matter of urgency.

“We could achieve a second river crossing within five years.

“It’s a different type of bridge which is trying to provide a crossing for what is existing demand,” he said.

“We are focused on finding what the case is for the east and precisely what the road would look like as soon as possible.

“We will be very sensitive to the ecology issues around the special area of conservation.

“What we’ve got in the east is a proximity to a site of special scientific interest so we are absolutely determined we are not going across the Lugg flats which was the thing that prevented progression of an eastern crossing in the past.”