THERE is little doubt that contentious issues of road maintenance and the proposed Western bypass were highly significant in Herefordshire local elections, which resulted in a swing towards Conservatives at variance with national trends.

Rejoice at this result perhaps needs restraint in the context of proposals from National Highways, who this week advised no new major road building projects in England should be created before 2030, and ministers should focus on completing ongoing and delayed schemes, as well as improving existing roads.

Already nationally 33 schemes are delayed by as much as three years, and will cost an estimated £3.3 billion more than initially expected.

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National Highways is proposing to work on existing projects for the five-year period from April 2025.

Priorities will be reducing fatalities and serious injuries in single carriageway A roads, and increasing investment in smaller schemes, valued at between £2 million and £25 million, to tackle safety and congestion problems, e.g. improving slip roads and junctions connecting to local roads.

A western bypass for Hereford, including a high-rise river crossing would far exceed the maximum on this budget. In 2021, the potential cost of a western bypass was thought to be close to £250 million, and the length of time it may take to be up to 10 years.

Conceivably an eastern crossing might be nearer to the target for a smaller scheme and be less environmentally destructive.

Hardly a case for triumphalism from proponents of the western route....

Not in my lifetime, I suspect.

CAROLE PROTHEROUGH

Clehonger, Hereford Transport Alliance chair

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