Council puts controversial bypass work on hold after change of administration
Plans for Hereford bypass have been put on hold due to a change in the council’s administration.
Herefordshire Council announced it would pause all work after a “change of administration” and “time to reflect”.
The Conservatives lost control of the council in the local elections earlier this year.
The winning Independents said they would take a “long, hard look” at the bypass proposals.
Last July, a preferred route was chosen which came under criticism, with council officers recommending the £129m ‘red route’ which would cross Kings Acre Road near the Bay Horse Inn.
The route would require five houses to be demolished to make way for the road and a further four might have their gardens reduced.
At the time, Independent group leader Cllr Bob Matthews said the red route was “totally unacceptable” due to its proximity to the Grade II listed Belmont Abbey.
On the decision to pause the plans, Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said: “Following a change of administration and with time to reflect, it has now been decided to pause all work on the Hereford bypass and Southern link road to allow further time to review these schemes in more detail and look at other options. There are many complex issues that need to be considered and it is very important to examine these thoroughly.
“The views of residents, commuters and local businesses are very important to us. It is vital that travel, transport and infrastructure developments in Hereford support the economy, help to improve health and wellbeing and make Herefordshire a better place to live, work and visit. We also need to ensure we effectively respond to the climate emergency declared by Herefordshire Council and the Government.”
Harrington said as part of the review it was “important to consider alternative options”.
He said these could include infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, an eastern river crossing, trialling the removal of some traffic signals and options for an electric bus service, improving school bus services and an ultra-light rail system.
He said: “All options need to be considered as we look to the long term and towards providing a high quality, integrated and low carbon transport system for the whole of Herefordshire, not just for the immediate future but for generations to come.”
A budget of £120,000 has been agreed for a new review of the bypass and link road and a decision on the schemes is expected to be made later this year.
