Jesse Norman should be congratulated for his clear, consistent and common sense attitude to local transport issues. (Re Change of direction sought by MP in link road debate -14th January). Councillor Price's contribution is another matter. The man in charge of infrastructure for Herefordshire Council knows full well that any new bridge over the River Wye, east or west of the city, will mean crossing the Special Area of Conservation (SAC). All of the Wye Valley and the Lower Lugg has this highest European environmental designation. As such any bridge will involve a public inquiry and probably legal challenges.
If the principle of crossing the SAC was ever accepted, it would have involved examining the total costs including environmental mitigation measures. A lower cost scheme would allow more resources for effective mitigation. Bridges across the Wye are not built 'what ever the cost' as Mr Price says.
Dr Tony Geeson
Hereford
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