North Herefordshire MP to raise concerns over delay to bypass plans

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Tuesday, 3 September 2019 20:26

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin will meet county council chiefs on Friday to discuss the proposed Hereford bypass plans.

Mr Wiggin says he will use the meeting to urge the new Herefordshire Council administration to end delays to the proposals which aim to link the A465 Abergavenny road with the A49 Ross road west of Hereford.

Last month, infrastructure and transport cabinet member John Harrington decided to halt all work on the Hereford Transport Package and South Wye Transport Package.

He has authorised officers to commission a review of both projects with a view to making a further decision on the future of the proposed western relief and southern link roads.

Mr Wiggin said: “I am hopeful that Friday’s meeting with Herefordshire Council will bring about positive action on the bypass.

I am concerned that the new administration’s delaying tactics will deny Herefordshire the £180 million of government funding that has been offered, not to mention the £10 million that has already been spent in the consultation phase.

“I will use this meeting to highlight the concerns of my constituents who want this bypass built.

“When the government funding is withdrawn it is they after all who will have to find the money needed for the project.

“We must also consider the volume of HGV traffic in the city as well as the air quality impact of this delay, especially in the wake of the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency.”