BY 2010 Hereford will have a Rotherwas relief road, improved Roman Road and a new river crossing.

Wishful thinking? Not according to organisers of the city's latest traffic summit. County councillors, council officers and MPs met with delegates from business, regional authorities and environmental groups at The Left Bank last Friday.

Of three key projects identified above, two, delegates were told, had already got the Government's green light, a Rotherwas relief road and improvements to Roman Road.

Another river crossing, though, is on amber at best. What moves it forward could well come out of work underway.

The summit, then, was sold as an 'update' on issues arising out of its predecessor earlier this year. Once again, debate went on without media present.

From outlines offered at a press conference afterward, the morning saw much made of a 'multi-modal study' intended to combine numerous city transport studies in a single report.

This concept has already secured support from Transport Minister John Spellar.

Once completed, the study and its solutions will feed into the forthcoming Unitary Development Plan (UDP) dealing with the future evolution of city and county.

What won't be there, said council leader Terry James is a bypass. To him that's now a 20th century term not in keeping with the seeking of 21st century solutions.

Instead talk turns to the potential for 'linking' existing routes, an initiative effectively offering the same advantages without the associations. Such thinking is especially significant in the case of any other river crossing - locations for which have yet to be identified.

The alternative, said Herefordshire Council Director of Environment Graham Dunhill, was a projected doubling of city traffic levels, with all the inherent problems.

To this end cabinet councillor Chris Grover (environment) conceded that the city's car users had so far shown little enthusiasm for alternatives, and steering them toward such options remained a challenge.

The council, said Mr James, would continue to encourage improved public transport, although it had minimal influence over operators.

But is Labour really likely to lavish millions on a county that's hardly a heartland?

Here, Herefordshire Council has one crucial advantage to even out the odds. It's hailed as an example to other councils for a conversion to cabinet control and other operational overhauls ahead of government intention.

And that, said Mr James, played well at Whitehall.

The panel also acknowledged a growing belief in some sort of solution emerging from 'off field' thinking - Metro maybe?

It's a long way down the line, but a scheme for guided electric buses with the Great Western Way as its spine (see HT 19/7/01) will, said Mr James, be included in the UDP.

Project updates....

TEN 'action plan' proposals were put to the inaugural Hereford Transport Summit in February. Here, as outlined at Friday's follow-up, is a progress report.

1. A western extension of an improved Roman Road linking to the A438 Hereford-Brecon route. An outline study has been completed for consideration as part of the UDP.

2. Improvements to the single lane bridge carrying Roman Road over the railway at Holmer. Site is not a priority for action. Advice is awaited from either Government or the Health and Safety Executive after the Selby rail crash.

3. Improved pedestrian and cycle facilities at Rotherwas. Included in the Local Transport Plan (LTP). A footway to Coldnose Road is now complete with further schemes for implementation within LTP period 2001/2006.

4. Retaining the 'safeguarded' route of the former Hereford bypass as an option for a future Rotherwas access route. Consultants are being commissioned to prepare preliminary designs and a planning application for the proposed route from the A49 based on the former bypass.

5. A new study of Hereford traffic patterns. The Highways Agency has carried out surveys of trunk road traffic.

6. A single-site new bus station for Hereford, accessible to the city centre. The potential for relocation of the bus station is being addressed within the UDP and depends on resolving several land use issues within the city.

7. Better cross-city bus routes. The city bus network is largely dictated by commercial operators, Herefordshire Council has very little influence but continues to 'encourage improvements'.

8. Better bus access to Hereford railway station. The refranchising of the Wales and Borders rail franchise provides 'exploration opportunities'.

9. A request for Herefordshire to be included in pilot studies for dedicated school transport. This is a commercial initiative, there is no formal pilot - anyone can 'join' at any time.

10. A new road bridge over the Wye (not agreed by all present). To be addressed in detail by the 'multi Modal Study'.