Views sought on proposed road, pavement and speed limit changes in Holmer and Shelwick Parish

Herefordshire Council, working in partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places, is seeking the views of people who live, work or use roads in the Parish of Holmer and Shelwick about proposed changes to roads, pavements and speed limits.

A public exhibition detailing options for changes to roads and pavements across the Parish, which is located just to the north of Hereford, is taking place at Holmer Spa and Health Club, Cleeve Orchard, between 4.30pm and 6pm on September 10.

Parish Councillors will also discuss the scheme at their meeting later that evening at the same venue. Improvements are being funded by Section 106 money, obtained as a result of financial contributions to local infrastructure from new housing developments.

Traffic calming, additional pavements and a reduction in speed limits have been identified as priorities by Herefordshire Council and the Parish Council. These measures are all designed to improve the safety of both motorists and pedestrians across Holmer and Shelwick. Balfour Beatty Living Places has developed a series of options for the proposed work.

Residents are also being asked for their views on a potential reduction in the speed limit from 60mph to 30mph across large parts of the Parish. Any decision to seek a reduction would be subject to a further statutory consultation process, including with the emergency services, in due course.

Detailed illustrations of the options will be available for people to view at the exhibition event, with members of the Balfour Beatty team responsible for designing the proposals also present to answer questions.

Anyone who cannot make the exhibition can view the information online at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/HolmerandShelwick and comment until October 1 2018.

Proposals include:

• Installation of new pavements on Atwood Lane where there is currently a gap in the link to Meadow Park – a school walking route
• New 'gateway' and traffic features at entrances to the area
• Improvements to the junction between Munstone Road, Coldwells Road and Shelwick Lane to improve safety
• A road change on Attwood Lane at its junction with Church Way to close it to through traffic while maintaining access for bicycles and pedestrians
• Reductions in speed limits from 60mph to 30mph on several roads

Councillor Barry Durkin, Herefordshire Council cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, who will be attending the exhibition, said: "We have developed a number of proposals for road and pavement improvements in conjunction with the Parish Council and it is important that people take a look at these before the end of the month to ensure that their views are captured.

"Most elements of the scheme have a number of alternatives to consider. All of them have been designed to improve road and pedestrian safety and ensure that the Parish continues to be a great place to live and work."