The evidence for the stance of the Business Board is overwhelming, and much of it is shown or linked to on the website www.herefordshirebusinessboard.co.uk.

It is far too much to cover in a letter or a press release, hence our campaign.

Perhaps the most emphatic piece of this evidence is provided by Midlands Connect, and I quote from their website and the findings in their latest publication just a month ago.

“Through our partnerships with chambers of commerce and local enterprise partnerships, we’re speaking to business leaders every day about their transport priorities, listening to them and making sure our recommendations have their interests at heart.

"Without the help and support of business, we can’t make a compelling case to government for regional investment that raises productivity, supports the creation of new jobs and housing, and generates inclusive growth for the benefit of every resident of the Midlands.

"Multinational businesses with bases in the Midlands such as JCB, Bombardier, Boots, PwC and DHL have told us how reliable and resilient transport links are vital to their long-term future in the region. And they’ve joined dozens of other businesses, large and small by pledging their support for the Midlands Connect strategy.”

So, by applying all of the significant expertise and research available to them they have highlighted four projects across the Midlands from the Welsh border to Lincolnshire. The Hereford bypass is one of these four.

We can either trust in the experts or we can bury our heads in the sand and pull up the drawbridge, believing that blockading Hereford is in our long-term interests.

And just think of the measures which we need to take to tackle the climate emergency.

How will we be able to build priority bus routes to serve park and ride? How will we be able to devote capacity to cycle routes? How will we be able to install the charging network for electric vehicles?

We all know that any small interference with traffic flows causes gridlock in the city.

How will we accommodate these infrastructure investments without first giving the city room to breathe?

The choice is very clear!

Frank Myers MBE
Chair
Herefordshire Business Board