The Council is seeking to deliver the first phase of the Hereford Western Bypass (formerly Southern Link Road).
The project was approved by Cabinet in March 2024 as part of the New Road Strategy.
It is currently estimated that the scheme will cost in the region of £35m, however £10.3m has already been allocated to the scheme for its development from which it is anticipated that £5m will be available to contribute to the construction costs.
A further £30m to deliver its construction is therefore required.
The cost of £35m is informed by applying industry inflation indices to the costs returned in tenders for the scheme in 2018, prior to its cancellation.
A review of the scheme is currently being undertaken to ensure that the former scheme complies with current legislation and regulations in both its construction and a more refined cost will be determined at that stage. The review is expected to be completed by May 2025.
Press Release from Herefordshire Council:
Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed proposals of £58million, with £21million planned for investment in the coming financial year
The proposed Capital Programme for 2025/26 presented at the Cabinet meeting today (Monday 13 January 2025) outlined an ambitious programme of capital investment aligned to the priorities of the Council Plan.
The report outlines proposals for £58.12million of investment over the next four years. The proposed additional £21million in 2025/26 will fund a range of projects that encourage active lifestyles for children and young people through investment in play areas, deliver new infrastructure to support housing and business development, reduce the impact of flooding and improve the condition of roads and road safety across the county.
Councillor Jonathan Lester, Leader Herefordshire Council said: “This report outlines our plans for £58.12million of investment over the next four years. This includes an additional £21million in 2025/26.
“In our County Plan we set out how we are going to deliver the best for Herefordshire in everything we do. We are proposing that this additional funding is invested in those key priorities local people have told us are important to them.
“This includes £7.5million additional spending on road resurfacing and highways infrastructure in the coming financial year, meaning that between 2023 and 2026 we will have invested an extra £29.7million in this important area, to benefit residents and businesses.
“We are also proposing an additional £1.5million for road safety schemes in 2025/26, and just over £1million for measures in areas at risk of flooding. We’ve also identified £500,000 this year for children’s play area investment with a further £500,000 in 2026/27.
“This is an ambitious programme of investment and improvement for 2025/26 and onwards to ensure the council is doing all it can to deliver the best for Herefordshire.”
The proposals will now be recommended to Council for approval at its meeting on Friday 7 February 2025.
The full report which includes outline details of each project is available on the council website at Agenda for Cabinet on Monday 13 January 2025, 2.30 pm – Herefordshire Council.
Inclusion of any project in the capital programme is not agreement to proceed, and each project will need a full business case and approval where required.
