THE arch-adversary of Hereford's anti-bypass brigade has accused critics of lacking the guts for an election fight, writes BILL TANNER.

To applause from fellow county councillors, Brian Tannatt Nash rounded on those who tormented his time in charge of the region's roads. He told Friday's meeting of the full authority that for all the opposition expressed against a bypass there had been no takers to his ballot-box challenge issued through The Hereford Times late last year.

Mr Tannatt Nash is standing down as council cabinet member for the environment, and leaving local politics to recover from recent illness. But a robust broadside at opponents revealed rude health when it came to defending his record, especially over Hereford's transport troubles.

An absence of anti-bypass candidates to contest the council elections showed many critics as lacking 'the courage of their convictions', he said.

The lack of movement on a city relief road remained the biggest disappointment of his two-year term of office.