£1 million is set to be spent by Herefordshire Council on the further development of the Eastern River crossing business case.
The Herefordshire Coalition has been looking into the possibility of an Eastern River Crossing since ditching plans for a Western Bypass of Hereford over a year ago.
A decision was made at a meeting on Thursday to approve the following movements in reserves to fund the following projects:
a. Implementation of countywide 20mph speed limit zones £1.2m.
b. School travel plan support £0.31m
c. Building retrofit and supply chain development £0.58m
d. Further development of the Eastern River crossing business case £1m
e. Reducing the backlog of Traffic regulation orders and carrying out further signing and lining £0.66m
Back in May 2022, it was highlighted that the idea for an Eastern Bridge in Hereford was set to be progressed, with Herefordshire Council deciding to procure the services of Aecom through the Midlands Highways Alliance Professional Services Framework to progress initial feasibility for the Hereford Eastern Access Road (EAR).
Following a decision by Herefordshire Council’s Coalition to scrap plans for a Western Bypass and Southern Link Road last year, the Eastern Access Road has emerged as the council’s preferred policy when it comes to reducing traffic in Hereford and linking the South Wye area and Rotherwas to the north of the city.
With tens of millions of pounds being spent on developing the Rotherwas area, it would certainly make sense to improve the transport network in this area of the city in an attempt to attract further businesses to the area.
In June 2021, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet confirmed its priorities for progressing the Hereford Transport Strategy and allocated £1.24m one off revenue funds for 2021/22 as follows:
i. £300k to progress feasibility and design for safer routes to school infrastructure schemes;
ii. £150k to develop a cycling and walking masterplan for the city;
iii. £90k to support a clear communications campaign and encourage more people to walk, cycle and use public transport and also supporting covid recovery;
iv. £400k to progress the eastern road link and river crossing;
v. £100k to support the updating of the local transport plan; and
vi. £200k to fund delivery director and project management support to ensure delivery of this programme at pace.
Council documents have previously stated that work to progress the Eastern Access Road could mean that the project takes around 8 years to be completed, with the council keen to have significant progress or the scheme close to completion within 5 years.
