PLANS to turn a busy Hereford city centre street into a "pedestrian paradise" were completed in 1970.

The idea that cars should be banned from Eign Street, between Victoria Street and All Saints Church, had been mooted as early as 1963, when a survey of the history and future of Hereford's roads was presented to the council by the chair of the city roads committee.

Eign Street, Hereford, 1965

Eign Street, Hereford, 1965

City surveyor Graham Roberts had taken a 10-day trip to the continent to study the effects of removing cars from the streets, and had been convinced it was the way forward, it was reported.

Eign Street, Hereford, 1969

Eign Street, Hereford, 1969

By 1968, the plans were underway, with the street nominated as a 'guinea pig' for the city to test out the idea of "demotorisation", and in June 1969 the first steps were taken, with through traffic banned from the street, and only delivery vehicles allowed access.

ALSO READ:

The plans to completely remove traffic from the street would cost £9,500, it was reported that year, with resurfacing planned and trees to be planted along the length of the street.

A meeting of Hereford City Roads Committee also heard that seating and glass display show cases, which could be a source of income, could be installed in the street.

"It will give a tremendous boost to this area," city surveyor Mr Roberts said at the time.

Eign Street plans, Hereford, 1969

Eign Street plans, Hereford, 1969

It was also suggested that cafes in the street could have continental-style outdoor dining areas on summer evenings.

But despite the enthusiasm of planners, the scheme did not get off to a good start, with the Hereford Times reporting in June 1970 that the scheme had hit takings for traders in the street.

One shop, C and S Greengrocery, was reportedly forced to close due to excavation work taking place outside their shop.

The business, which had only been up and running for two months, and had not built up the customer base to see them through, it was reported.

Other businesses were also unhappy, with Mr L Rochford, of The Dolphin Restaurant, saying takings had dipped so sharply since the workmen had moved in that they had only just covered their basic wage bill that month.

Eign Gate, Hereford, 1970

Eign Gate, Hereford, 1970

By July, the works were complete, with the stretch renamed Eign Gate and with High Town next on the list for pedestrianisation.


Want to stay up to date with all the latest news for your local area? It's easy, just sign up for our free weekly email newsletter here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.


But, showing that such problems are nothing new in Hereford, police were called in to investigate in 1971 after the young trees and plants planted in the street were ripped up by vandals.

Eign Gate, Hereford, 1987

Eign Gate, Hereford, 1987

"They are pulled out regularly on Saturday nights," Councillor W Price said at the time.

"Almost every Monday morning they're scattered around."

Eign Gate Hereford, 2004

Eign Gate Hereford, 2004

The trees again hit the headlines in 2003, this time as they were deliberately removed due to their tangled roots proving unsuitable for a paved pedestrian area.

They were also believed to be "compounding the perennial pigeon problem".

Eign Gate, Hereford, 2005

Eign Gate, Hereford, 2005

And by 2004, the street which had been championed as a pedestrians' paradise, was in need of another refresh, this time set to cost £650,000.

The proposals, which have since been put in place, included new paving, street furniture, and trees, with the aim of turning the street into a "showcase area" of the city.