CABINET has approved allocating around £600,000 to fund work on selecting the exact route of Hereford’s long-awaited bypass.

The first part of the western route, which will link the A49 near Grafton with the A465, was approved earlier this month, with the rest of the route, bringing motorists back onto the A49 at Holmer, set to be built by 2027.


But the leader of an opposition party says the council has been short-sighted and should have looked elsewhere for the route.

“There are other options, even if you go as far as the Ledbury Road,” said Independent group leader, Cllr Bob Matthews, at the Cabinet’s meeting at Hereford Shirehall.

“I honestly believe that unless we get the eastern road
and that road down to Ross improved, we are going nowhere.
With the Three Elms (urban extension) development, it will be gridlock on that side of Hereford.”

He urged council bosses to get the economy moving,
saying once done the rest would take care of itself.

“You seem to be doing things the wrong way around,” he told them.

But Cllr Phil Price, Cabinet member for infrastructure, said he “completely disagrees”, saying Cllr Matthews has held these beliefs for a long time despite evidence to the contrary.

He said proposals for an eastern route were developed
in the 1990s by the Highways Agency, but were rejected by public inquiry, adding his delight at Cabinet’s decision to approve the £600,000 to help draw up western route options and carry out environmental and transport surveys plus
consultations.

“It’s great news that we have taken swift action after the planning determination of the Southern Link Road,” he said.

“The Hereford bypass is gaining momentum and we are pleased to proceed to the next stage.

“We have ambitious plans for the city’s development and all of these projects, once completed, will assist in making Hereford a viable economic centre for businesses and an even better place for those who live and work in the city.”

Meanwhile, a planning inspector has dismissed an appeal
from Wyevale Holdings Ltd to build up to 73 homes just off Kings Acre Road.

The plan for the site near Kings Acre Halt was initially refused
by Herefordshire Council because of its impact on the proposed bypass.

Among the reasons for refusal, Inspector Jonathan Hockley, said: “Given that such housing at Three Elms in particular would be served by the Hereford Relief Road and are fundamental to the delivery of housing within the Core Strategy (the council’s planning blueprint for the next 15 years) I consider it likely that the proposal, if allowed, would inevitably predetermine decisions about the scale, location and phasing of new development which would be served by the relief road.

“The potential effect on such a large number of houses would significantly and demonstrably out weigh the benefits of the
proposal at the present time. 

"I therefore conclude that the proposal would have an adverse effect on the proposed Hereford Relief Road.”