Herefordshire’s vision for a major bypass around Hereford took a significant step forward as local councillors approved an essential component of the county’s Local Transport Plan. The plan focuses on establishing a new strategic route aimed at addressing traffic and infrastructure challenges arising from anticipated growth.
During the council meeting on Friday, 5 December, further details of the bypass were discussed, highlighting both support and skepticism from elected officials.
Philip Price, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, revealed National Highways’ backing of the project. The body responsible for managing England’s motorway and trunk roads, including the A49, sees the bypass as a means to improve system resilience. National Highways supports a design speed aimed at maintaining journey times quicker than current A49 standards, with modeling based on a 40mph speed limit, although some sections could permit speeds up to 60mph. Price compared this to the Worcester bypass, which seamlessly blends speed and key junctions.
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Councillor Charlie Taylor, representing Credenhill ward—through which the bypass will pass—urged that the route be positioned sufficiently far from the projected 10,000 new homes west of Hereford. He emphasized the need to minimize noise and pollution while allowing traffic to flow at speeds of up to 60mph.
Price responded by highlighting government projections that could see up to 14,000 new houses developed north and west of Hereford, reinforcing the bypass’s necessity.
Not all councillors are convinced. Green councillor Catherine Gennard from Hereford Central voiced concerns that the bypass may take between 10 and 15 years to materialize, with no certainty of success. She pointed out the lack of a strategic outline case, missing funding pathways, and potential conflicts with government carbon reduction guidance.
Gennard advocated for immediate, proven solutions like pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, 20mph zones, enhanced bus services, school transport planning, and traffic calming measures. These alternatives, she argues, can relieve congestion quickly and affordably while promoting safer, more sustainable travel.
Despite the debate, the Local Transport Plan, which incorporates the bypass concept and sets the vision through to 2041, was approved by a vote of 36 to 13, marking a pivotal advance in Herefordshire’s transportation landscape.