Herefordshire Council scrapped plans for a Western Bypass of Hereford and a Southern Link Road connecting the A49 (Ross Road) and A465 (Abergavenny Road) earlier this week, with coalition councillors voting the way they had promised to when elected.
The decision has both been welcomed in some quarters and criticised in others but overall, during the debate, many very valid points were raised about the potential cost of a bypass (thought to be close to £250 million), the length of time it may take (up to 10 years) and the actual impact on reducing congestion in the city, with some councillors firm in the belief that a bypass will simply see more housing approved and therefore an increase of cars on the road and no benefit to those hoping that it would ease congestion in the centre of Hereford.
However, those backing it disagree, stating that Hereford needs a new bridge across the Wye and that journeys between areas such as Belmont and Bobblestock would become easier because road users wouldn’t have to travel through the centre of the city.
Cllr Jim Kenyon did put forward a motion that would’ve seen the Southern Link Road potentially protected, with a number of councillors stating that by building the Southern Link Road, you potentially stop many of the large vehicles that head to Rotherwas from the Abergavenny direction, from even having to enter the city. However there are concerns that while the Southern Link Road could reduce congestion levels on the A465 Belmont Road, there is evidence in the planning that it could see levels of congestion increase significantly on the A49 Ross Road.
Anti-Bypass Group Wye Ruin It? have made many statements since the decision to scrap the bypass was made and here is one of them ….
“So happy this Council has changed strategy to protect the environment and address the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Yes it’s old news but nice to get the hard copy version.
“So much is written about expanding road capacity but we can’t expand it forever. It will not reduce congestion because it would enable a major car based urban expansion. It would take far too long (10 years) and create far more damage in terms of carbon emissions and loss of biodiversity.
“The answer lies in reducing local traffic by reducing the school run. Get more walking and cycling to school from safe satellite drop off areas. Swap cars for buses, bikes and legs. Potentially 25% to 30% traffic reduction is possible in this area.
“The next easy target is the delivery van full of online purchases. High growth and high volume deliveries. Set up a “last mile logistics hub” for the typical amazon type orders to replace the vans. Parcels will be dropped off at the hub, then ferried to their final destination by electric cargo bikes or on foot. Our City could remove hundreds of vans from its streets every day, reducing pollution and congestion. This is happening in larger Cities already. Encourage the Pedicargos of this world to save our City from congestion.
“Finally the myth that we are struggling from HGV traffic. The most recent surveys showed HGV volumes declined, not increased, over the last five years. Regional HGV traffic already has an alternative North-South Route avoiding Hereford. The HGVs are only a fraction of traffic, less than 4%. We need to keep them moving by reducing the volume of short car and short van journeys. Perhaps get more freight on rail to reduce our carbon footprint and road pollution.
“Focus on the unnecessary journeys and those that could be replaced rapidly. We don’t have to wait another 10 years for a solution that would fail when the answers are right in front of us.
“Ask the planners to get their skates on, get on their bikes and stop pushing (traffic) jams tomorrow. Three things to focus on in the near future.1 building the transport hub to link sustainable services2 address school traffic with buses and safe walking networks3 design safe cycling networks for kids and commuters.
“Stop the degeneration of society with car based designs that kill us with pollution and start using sustainable designs for transport. Re-purpose the City retail for students, learning, accommodation and new social hubs. Enable frequent affordable public transport around a cultural centre of learning and students will stay. Bring on the new University walking and cycling City designs.”
However, not everyone is happy, with one group starting up a ‘no confidence in Herefordshire Council petition that has now received over 3,000 signatures……
A number of residents in Hereford and the wider area have reacted in anger at Herefordshire Council’s decision to scrap the Western Bypass of Hereford and the Southern Link Road.
Over 2,800 members of the public have signed the petition – Petition · UK Government The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s: Vote of No Confidence in Herefordshire Council · Change.org
Herefordshire Council released a statement after councillors voted 27-19 in favour of scrapping the bypass.
Herefordshire Council has taken the decision to cease work on a western bypass for Hereford at Full Council today (Tuesday 2 February 2021).
Council has determined to stop the progress of the southern link road and western bypass schemes, which are included in the adopted policy. A suggested amendment was debated but not approved.
The decision follows a detailed review of the transport strategy for Hereford which set out to better understand existing and future transport conditions in the city, and to assess alternative options particularly in light of the declared climate and ecological emergency and changes to national transport policy.
The votes cast were 27 for, 19 against and 6 abstentions. All 52 councillors were present and voted.
The decision means that the Hereford Transport Package will be removed from the council’s capital programme.
The council meeting can be viewed again on the council’s Youtube channel.
