Hereford bypass 'could cut traffic by 20%'

Council bosses have claimed congestion along a key route into Hereford will drop as much as 20% during peak periods - once the first phase of a new bypass gets built.

Herefordshire Council has launched a new campaign, urging people to get behind the Hereford bypass, ahead of work starting later this year.

The council said traffic would reduce by up to a fifth on the A465, which was notorious for hold-ups - with fewer vehicles using other local streets.

The authority's leader, Jonathan Lester, called it "an exciting and pivotal moment" for the county.

The council campaign is called Back the Bypass, with a website and a promotional video being launched, as well as new artist's impressions.

The authority said the financial benefits over the next 60 years were estimated to be between £54-77m, mainly due to increased productivity from faster journeys.

Work on phase one of the bypass is set to start in December, which will result in a new road linking the A49 and A465 to the south-west of Hereford.

The bypass project has been criticised by some residents and environmental groups, who are concerned by the estimated costs and the impact on wildlife.

Under the project, land will become available for 150 hectares of employment space - room for about 10,000 jobs - and 14,000 new homes are expected to be built.

Earlier this year residents voiced concern over the cash-strapped council earmarking another £5m towards the scheme, on top of the £40m that has already been committed.

But the Conservative leadership has consistently backed the project, saying it will help ease traffic problems.

Lester said: "This is an exciting and pivotal moment for our county, where we can see the long-awaited plans for the Hereford bypass start to become reality.

"The Back the Bypass campaign is about securing the investment and government backing our county needs to grow and prosper.

"For too long, Hereford has been held back by a single congested route through the city.

"The bypass will change that – unlocking land for businesses, enabling new homes, and supporting thousands of jobs for local people."

The campaign has attracted support from businesses in the county, with some saying congestion issues in Hereford was putting investors off.

Nigel Haughton, chair of Herefordshire-based HALCO Europe, said: "My concern for business is if a bypass isn't built, companies will vote with their feet and move their companies out of the county.

"If the infrastructure is improved, I think we will see a commitment from business owners to more investment."

The council has also created a conceptual video showing how phase two could look, with a second river crossing over the River Wye to the west of Hereford.

The second phase - which is subject to funding and planning permission - could remove 50% of A49 city centre traffic, according to the authority.

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