Concerned residents of Kent Avenue, Ross-on-Wye met with their County Councillor, Phil Cutter, local Police Officer, PC Richard Barradale-Smith, West Mercia Police’s Community Speed Watch Coordinator, Ian Connolly, and a representative from Balfour Beatty on Tuesday, January 26th.

At the meeting, the residents were able to discuss their concerns about serious safety issues along the road. The residents argued that cars often mount the pavement in order to pass one-another.

They are also concerned about the amount of heavy goods vehicles which use the road when they are not supposed to; a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes is currently in place, although the residents say that they regularly witness vehicles which exceed this restriction using the road. They say these HGV vehicles have caused damage to infrastructure, such as underground pipes.

Paul Smith, who lives on Kent Avenue told the police officers that Kent Avenue was not fit for purpose as a two-way road. He argued that more than 50% of the cars which use the road are not using the facilities such as the doctor’s surgery or playpark, but are instead using it as a through road, and are in a hurry, so may drive in a reckless way.

Last month, the Ross Gazette reported that the group had attended December’s full meeting of Ross Town Council, to try to raise public awareness surrounding the health and safety issues along the road where they live.

Mr Connolly and PC Barradale-Smith explained that while the police can give advice about solutions to the traffic problem, and be involved in the consulting process, they cannot implement a new traffic system; that decision would lie with Herefordshire Council. They worried that if a one-way system were to be implemented, speeding issues along the road could worsen. The residents asked about the possibility of adding speed bumps to the road.

Mr Connolly advised that the best route of action would be to ask their County Councillor, Phil Cutter to lobby Herefordshire Council for a better traffic system.

Cllr Cutter said that although a lot was said about what they could not do, he wanted to focus on what they could do, as a team. He suggested that the implementation of double yellow lines and signs may help the problem in the short term.

Mr Connolly advised the residents to write up a report of their concerns, and to provide some information on what they think, in their opinion, would make the traffic better.