A ROAD dating back 2000 years is to be modernised and improved under a plan that could affect residents and wildlife in north Hereford.

Despite objections from homeowners about having a 'motorway' on their doorstep and fears over the habitat of badgers, bats and the endangered white-clawed crayfish the multi-million pound project to redevelop the A4103 will go ahead.

A meeting of Herefordshire Council's planning committee yesterday approved improvement to two-and-a-half kilometres of the Roman Road between Stretton Sugwas and the junction with the Tillington Road.

The improvements will form a continuation to a process of upgrades, which until now have concentrated on the eastern side.

Work will include widening, the addition of a footway/cycleway and a new roundabout in Stretton Sugwas linking the road to the A480.

Objections to the scheme came from residents concerned the scheme 'represents a significant and permanent loss of amenity, equivalent to a motorway passing private residential properties.'

Other concerns raised by English Nature and the Environment Agency centred on the flora and fauna in the area.

English Nature stating: "We indicated the need to consider the effect of the development on White Clawed Crayfish if there was going to be modification to the Yazor Brook.

"There is an indication at the present time that there will be the loss of two badger setts."

The Environment Agency highlighted the effect of the development on the flora of the area and the potential for water-voles being in the Yazor Brook.

The report states: "Water-vole habitats are legally protected and it is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy or obstruct any place water voles use for shelter."

However the impact of the scheme was welcomed by Stretton Sugwas Primary School which should benefit from improved and safer access.

And with the archaeology of the area dating back to Roman times the school will be able to benefit from the historical input as well as the creation of a new village green near the school for nature conservation.

Stretton Sugwas Parish Council welcomed the improvements but said they did not go far enough: "We are in complete agreement the A4103 requires improvement in its full length from the C1095 to the A480.

"However we are concerned it finishes in a bottleneck at the A480 skew bridge and does not connect with the A438 Hereford Willersley to form a complete east to west relief ring road around the city."