Hereford road schemes reviewed

Herefordshire Council is commissioning consultants to assist in a review of the proposed Hereford western bypass and the southern link roads. The Western bypass would connect the A49 trunk road north of the city to the A465 to the southwest. The southern link road would connect the A465 to the A49 south of the city. The road projects are core elements of the Hereford and South Wye transport packages promoted by the Conservative administration that lost control of the council last May. The council is now under no overall control. Independent council leader David Hitchiner said: “It is incumbent on the council to ensure that projects are consistent with the council’s declaration of a climate emergency and will contribute to reducing the carbon output of the county whilst also addressing the transport problems of the city and supporting economic growth.” The review will consider actions such as removing traffic signals on the A49 in the city; new roads to the east of the city; park-and-ride; electric buses; very light rail; and active travel. The consultancy contract runs to the end of June.