As reported in the Hereford Times on June 16, Herefordshire Council Cabinet has awarded itself £600,000 to spend on choosing a route for a western Hereford “bypass”. The Officer Report to Cabinet states that a western route is preferred over an eastern route due to the prospect of impacts on the Lugg Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
I would not wish the actual Lugg Meadows SSSI habitat to be harmed but I would like to point out, as I have done many times before, that the whole of the River Wye is both a SSSI and a higher designation, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
It is always forgotten that ANY new river bridge and road route, either east or west, would impact on the River Wye SAC and SSSI.
To the west the very rural parish of Breinton bordering the River Wye with ancient woodland, traditional orchards and meadows, ponds and streams is currently unaffected by pollution from traffic, noise or light. It is a haven for many unusual wildlife species and the landscape beauty is worthy of an AONB.
South of the river, the route for the Southern Link Road has just been approved without any regard for the rare species in its path.
So it is surely hypocritical to invoke the Lugg Meadows SSSI as the main reason for rejecting an eastern road route, but consistently fail to recognise the greater range of significant environmental assets to the south and west.
Dr N Geeson
Kings Acre
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