COUNCIL bosses have been given a clear message over Hereford's much-talked about bypass - just get on and build it.

The plea came from Cllr Chris Chappell during a full council debate at Hereford Shirehall over the adoption of Herefordshire Council's Local Transplant Plan which paves the way for the western relief road.

The 15-year plan was overwhelmingly backed with Cllr Chappell sparking applause from a number of members following his rousing speech towards the end of a sometimes heated two-hour debate.

"I don't care if it goes above or under the city, or north, south, east and west of it," he said.

"I just want it built.

"It is about the economy of this city in 10, 20 or 30 years' time.

"The economy is vital otherwise there will not be a Herefordshire.

"So my message is clear; just get on and build it please."

Cabinet member Cllr Graham Powell said detractors had meant progress on the project has been slow.

"If we had been working together we could have had a core strategy (the council's planning blueprint for the future, which was adopted last October) two or three years ago," he said.

"Phase one of the bypass would have been under construction. Homes would have been built, generating council tax."

Other suggestions for the county road network were put forward including Cllr Bob Matthews' idea to dual the A49 from Rotherwas to Ross-on-Wye to connect with the motorway network.

It's Our County leader Cllr Anthony Powers, meanwhile, said his party is not against growth.

"We are not against infrastructure providing it is necessary and can have a sound business case made for it," he said.

"We do have a vision for this county.

"I have had enough of this rhetoric that we are against everything."

The western route should be completed during the 15-year life of the transport plan.

The first part of the route, from the A49 south of Hereford, to the A465, will go before the council’s planning committee on June 6.

Cllr Philip Price, cabinet member infrastructure, said: "The adopted Core Strategy sets out our plans for sustainable growth – 16,500 new homes, more jobs at the Hereford Enterprise Zone and other employment sites around the county and enabling infrastructure which will support this new development.

"This adoption of the LTP is a significant move forward as it sets out the council’s strategy for supporting economic growth, improving health and protecting the environment."