HUGH Bryant’s letter about HS2 (Hereford Times, December 18) requires comment. He said: l “SC2 … affecting far fewer households than the alternatives” and he mentions the Grafton petition. In 2012, his parish council held a referendum of parishioners. Some voted for “no road” but, of the remainder, 72% voted against route SC2. Consultants Parsons in 2014 stated: “Few residential properties would be affected by SC6 (refined version of the original bypass route, summarily eliminated by Parsons)”. Their predecessors, Amey, also stated that route SC6 “will have the least impact as it best follows existing ground contours”.

l “SC2…. equidistant from the main listed properties”. The most heavily affected Listed Building is Haywood Lodge (Grade II starred: top 4% of listed buildings nationally). The siting of SC2 would contravene English Heritage guidelines.

l “SC2 most geographically direct”. It is not the shortest route option and, due to its distance from Belmont, will fail to address the priority need to overcome the “rat-run” along Haywood Lane.

SC2 is a desecration of the open landscape and important heritage assets and is more expensive than other viable options summarily eliminated by Parsons.

The road rises about 6.5 metres over a high railway embankment. This will transmit visual, noise and light pollution across a wide-ranging area. Those Grafton residents vociferously supporting SC2 should not be deceived into thinking that it won’t affect them. It will impact on them enormously.

But it is also becoming increasingly apparent that there is a hidden agenda in siting the road so far from the urban fringe. The council owns small-holdings adjoining route SC2 and a council officer recently commented publicly that SC2 would release more land for housing.

Remember, the route was first drawn in 2008 by housing developers, Bloor Homes. Be careful what you ask for Mr Bryant, you may well be surrounded by housing sooner than you think!

JUDY PRIDDLE Haywood