Residents and councillors are calling on Herefordshire Council to reopen a road that has been closed for several months.

The single-track C1257 road at Symonds Yat was closed in June, 2018, following the collapse of a stone wall and the nearby road.

The only alternative access for residents, Ferrie Lane Byway, is narrow and unlit at night, potholed, and has some steep drops to the river. At its lowest point it can flood when the river is high.

Local ward councillor, Paul Newman, said he has become increasingly ‘shocked and disappointed’ by the inactivity and lack of urgency shown by the council and their highways contractors. He said: “Action needs to be taken now.”

The alternative route is nearly 1,000 yards long and has no actual passing places, except for the sometimes unoccupied private drives or parking areas for residents.

No deliveries are possible, with oil supplies and septic tank emptying proving difficult. Worse still, emergency vehicles have limited access.

The council is appealing for a section 77 notice under the Building Act 1984, to require the owner of the property, next to the C1257 road, to remove a wall erected without consent.

Herefordshire Council, along with highways contractor, Balfour Beatty Living Places, say they are working to identify a solution with the owner of the wall, experts and residents, as well as working with utility companies to ensure safe supplies can continue to be delivered to properties.

Transport cabinet member, Barry Durkin, said: “We are working with local residents and businesses to move this issue forward but have reached the point where enforcement action is necessary and proportionate.

“We consider the wall to be in a dangerous condition and it needs to be made safe before we can proceed to fix the road.

“Our primary goal has always been, and remains, public safety, to reopen the road and provide some vehicle access as soon as it is safely possible to do so, although it may not be possible to reopen it to large or heavy vehicles.”See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.