£1.4 million of funding has been allocated to improve kerbs on Widemarsh Street in Hereford and to install a cycle contraflow system on St Owen Street.
For many years now, the kerbs on Widemarsh Street in Hereford have caused issues for pedestrians, with many tripping over and some sustaining some fairly nasty injuries.
It’s a regular occurrence to see somebody receiving medical support after such an incident and the news at the end of last year that improvements and changes are set to be made was welcomed by many.
Black tape has been placed on the kerbs as a temporary measure following reports of a number of people tripping over that were highlighted by Your Herefordshire. There was previously black tape put on the kerbs a few years ago so this is by no means a new measure but it’s hoped that it will reduce the number of people tripping over the kerbs before work to improve the footpath takes place in the next few months.
Recent documents released by Herefordshire Council show that the cost of the improvements to the kerbs on Widemarsh Street could cost in excess of £700,000 (Inclusive of VAT).
Alongside the City Link Road planters and other projects such as the City Green Cycle Shelters, this multi-million investment in Hereford city centre is hoped to help increase footfall and make the city centre a more welcoming place to visit.
Plans for a Cycle Contraflow system on St Owen Street in Hereford could cost around £700,000 documents released by Herefordshire Council have revealed.
A cycle contraflow system has been in the planning on St Owen Street for several years, with a consultation held three years ago.
The consultation, which took place in 2019 detailed the possible introduction of an informal on carriageway contraflow cycle lane along the length of St Owen Street in Hereford with a number of uncontrolled crossings with footway build outs, together with a new signal controlled crossing at the Bath Street end of St Owen Street.
At the time of the consultation the specific objectives of the scheme were:
- To provide a safe contraflow cycle route from the east along St Owen St into the city centre
- To improve the ease and safety for pedestrians crossing St Owen Street
- To improve the safety of vehicles using parking bays along St Owen Street
It is not clear if the plans for a Contraflow System on St Owen Street in Hereford remain the same as the plans revealed in 2019.
There has been a stated desire for a contraflow cycle scheme on St Owen Street for many years. A number of previous designs have been developed and taken to public consultation. Feedback from these consultations, together with design reviews and safety audits have contributed to the development of the design over this period.
An informal consultation on the current proposals was undertaken in the summer of 2017. That consultation confirmed overall support for the scheme and enabled the public to input into their preference for the options presented in the consultation.
The St Owen Street Cycle Contraflow plans were announced in a document released by Herefordshire Council that detailed a potential spend on the following projects throughout the city.
High Existing Enhancements – £572,407.00
High Town Area Minor Works – £211,642.00
Market and event infrastructure – £30,500.00
CCTV – £60,500.00
Façade improvement grants/Business Grants – £500,000.00
Cathedral & River Wye Quarter Design – £340,000.00
St Owen St Cycle Contraflow – £700,000.00
Widemarsh St kerb Improvements – £715,000.00
Cathedral & River Wye Quarter Planters – £262,500.00
City Link Road Planters – £570,191.00
City Greening – £362,000.00
City Trees – £320,000.00
City Green Cycle Shelters – £30,000.00
Public Art/Installations – £243,000.00
Hostile Vehicle Movement – £500,000.00
HCCI Project Management Costs – £582,260.00
