TRADITIONAL dual-carriageway bypasses that might really shorten long-distance journey times are simply not affordable these days. But Cllr Philip Price (SC2 to become part of Western bypass, Letters, August 6) perpetuates the myth that Hereford can have such a trunk route bypass. Continuation of SC2 to a ‘relief’ road around west Hereford would now cost around £200 million, (mostly funded by fees from adjacent new housing development), be single carriageway, and would need junctions into new housing estates.

We are currently told to expect thousands of new homes in and around Hereford. However, as social services, the new general advice hub in the library, shops, schools, hospital etc will all be located centrally, there will also be thousands more cars trying to access the city centre.

The gridlocks will never be solved if the perceived need for further new roads or bridges perpetually introduces yet more housing and cars.

New housing in and around Hereford on the scale outlined in the Core Strategy plan would help to fill the council’s coffers, but at what cost to Herefordians?

If people are put off visiting a congested Hereford, made much worse by a hugely increased peripheral population, how can businesses and tourism in the centre possibly flourish?

DR NICHOLA GEESON Kings Acre Road, Hereford