Deal secured for Hereford bypass work to start

Work on the long-awaited Hereford bypass is set to begin this year - after Herefordshire Council appointed a contractor for the first swathe of the scheme.

Civil engineering firm Graham has landed the contract for the project, which will result in a new road linking the A49 and the A465 to the south-west of Hereford.

It means work will start on phase one by December, and councillors said the public would see immediate benefits from the completed project.

Councillor Philip Price, cabinet Member for transport, said: "For too long, congestion and limited connectivity have held our county back."

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

But the Conservative leadership has consistently backed the scheme, saying it will help ease the city's traffic problems.

Price added: "Bringing Graham on board means we are now firmly moving from planning into delivery.

"Completing phase one of the bypass is expected to deliver immediate benefits, including reduced traffic in South Wye's neighbourhoods, improved access to the enterprise zone and enhanced network resilience.

"The route already has planning permission and forms the essential southern anchor for the full bypass - this is a strong and decisive step forward."

The scheme includes a series of underpasses and structures, including a new bridge over the Hereford-Newport railway line, and provision for walkers and cyclists.

The council said it expected traffic jams to ease on key city routes like Belmont Road, Ross Road, Holme Lacy Road and Walnut Tree Avenue once the work was complete.

Phase one is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, with the Tory cabinet set to award a full construction contract later this year.

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