Concerns have been raised by the Herefordshire Transport Alliance (HTA) regarding the new bypass. They are worried about a statement included within the Council’s submission for funding for the Hereford Transport Package, which suggests that the “bypass will make the A49 an alternative for M5/M6 traffic to ease congestion on the motorway network.”

This would mean additional traffic on the A49 which runs through the county. In questions to the meeting of Herefordshire Council on Friday, December 16th, Carole Protherogh, the chair of HTA, asked if the Council could provide statistics for the likely resulting increase in through traffic, both car and HGV, on the A49 between Ross-on-Wye and north of Leominster.

After the meeting Ms Protherough said “Cllr Price has agreed that the Council in its major bid is promising that the A49 would become a relief road for the motorway system, attracting additional traffic with destinations such as Wales and Bristol. Far from reducing through traffic this is likely to pour much more on to our road system, including increased freight traffic, with no benefit for the county.

The village communities between Ludlow and Ross-on-Wye, many bisected by the A49, will be severely affected.”