A local bus company has taken to social media to apologise for delays to services in Hereford today, due to what it describes as ‘absolutely horrendous’ traffic.
Sargeants, who run several bus services in Hereford, took to Facebook to update passengers.
“Good afternoon must apologise for late notice.
“As I’m sure you have noticed by now traffic has been absolutely horrendous due a lane closure with no work being done Edgar Street.
“Our services have been affected and our drivers are doing their best under the circumstances.
“So we do apologise for the inconvenience caused.”
Motorists have reported it taking almost an hour to get from Ross Road to the Holmer area of the city on the A49.
Victoria Street (A49) is down to one lane and St Nicholas Street is currently closed for roadworks, which is causing a backlog of traffic, particularly in the South Wye area of the city.
The news comes as Herefordshire Council took a step forward with its plans for a western bypass of Hereford.
From Herefordshire Council:
The development of detailed plans for the first phase of the Hereford Western Bypass is set to progress following the appointment of specialist support.
The first phase of the Hereford Western Bypass will see a new road joining the A49 to the A465.
The planned new route will help ease traffic flow in south Hereford, make it easier to access employment land and support growth south of the river.
Planning permission is already in place for the new road, and the development of detailed plans will now be progressing at pace following the appointment of specialist support.
Global infrastructure consultancy AECOM will be working closely with the council over the next two years to review and update the plans already in place for the road (previously known as the Southern Link Road) in light of changing regulations, legislation and environment considerations since they were first developed.
They will then support the council in consolidating the final plans and finalising the necessary agreements and funding arrangements which will allow for the construction of the new road to proceed.
Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure said:
“We are now in a position to progress the detailed work needed towards the construction of the first phase of the Hereford Western Bypass.
“We are making good on our commitment to build the road infrastructure our city needs to help alleviate congestion and enable local growth.
“The first phase of the Hereford Western Bypass will help reduce traffic on key routes, most notably Belmont Road and Holme Lacy Road, and support further development of employment land south of the river.
“The development of detailed plans for the new road is incredibly specialist. We are confident that AECOM will provide the support needed where we don’t have the expertise or capacity in-house, and we’re looking forward to working with them over the next two years.”
Capital funding of £40.3 million has been committed by the council towards the cost of the first phase of the Hereford Western Bypass – £10.3million was allocated towards the cost of development in the 2024/25 budget, with a further £30 million capital funding over the next three years agreed in the 2025/26 budget, towards the cost of construction.
Revenue funding of £760,000 has been committed to progress a business case for the second phase of the Bypass.
