MOTORISTS have been warned that a rock face beside a main road in and out of Ross town centre is crumbling again, despite major safety works that saw weeks of roadworks just three years ago.
Temporary traffic lights have again been installed as a safety measure on Wilton Road, after the cliff-face that stands below St Mary’s Church, the Royal Hotel, the Prospect and the Gazebo tower suffered a new rock fall.
A spokesperson for Balfour Beatty said last week: "Last weekend further failure occurred at Wilton rockface.
"The containment barriers that were installed previously did their job and prevented debris entering the carriageway.
"There is a concern that more failures could occur if there is persistent rain, that could increase the risk to road users even with the debris fencing in place.
"We have therefore installed two-way traffic signals as an additional safety measure for the public to manage this risk."
Herefordshire Highways posted: “Two-way traffic signals for safety measure due to rock face failure.”
Highways engineers installed barriers and mesh panels in October 2021, with part of the road being closed to traffic for some six weeks before and while the work took place.
At that time, Ross Town council posted: "Given the nature of the work required, i.e. safe removal of loose rock and a long-term solution in place to prevent further rock fall, Balfour Beatty have said that these barriers are likely to be in place for while.
"They have ordered the barriers, but it will be around 4 to 6 weeks for them to be delivered and installed. Once in place this will allow the traffic lights to be removed and a return to two way running. However, this will require the formal suspension of the on-road parking."
Balfour Beatty also said while undertaking that work: "We appreciate that impact this is having on the residents and visitors to Ross and the team are working hard to ensure a suitable and long-term solution, and it is important that vehicles and pedestrians are kept away from this rock face for their own safety.”