Herefordshire Council prepares a local transport plan as a guide to investing in transport over a five-year period.

It was the blueprint for the latest plan that was put to councillors at a special seminar last week.

The final plan has to address national transport priorities as well as identify local needs. Once backed by Herefordshire Council, it will go to Whitehall next year to get government approval.

Around £56 million is available to the council to spend on transport over the five-year period from 2006/2007 covered by the plan.

But much of that money - £42 million - must be earmarked solely for spending on maintenance schemes.

Specific projects have to compete for funding from various sources.

With Whitehall looking to devolve road-building decisions down to the regions, Herefordshire's future funding bids will go up against much bigger projects from all over the West Midlands for a smaller share of cash.