Herefordshire’s ‘Back the Bypass’ campaign has been launched with Council leaders, business representatives and other stakeholders coming together to see the transformational potential benefits the scheme could bring to the county.
Central to the campaign is a new series of films, including one featuring residents and businesses, that bring to life the challenges of life without a bypass, and the opportunities that this infrastructure could bring. Other films set out new details of Phase One and how environmental impact will be mitigated, as well as high-level proposals for the full scheme.
The launch marks a major step in consolidating widespread support for a project designed to tackle long-standing congestion, improve connectivity, and create the conditions for jobs and economic growth across the county.
The launch of the Back the Bypass campaign comes after Herefordshire Council recently announced that a contractor has been appointed to lead detailed design and early works for Phase One of the bypass.
Phase One of the Hereford Bypass, which will connect the A465 to the A49 to the south-west of the city, is already expected to deliver significant early benefits.
This 3km single-carriageway link would run across land between Grafton and the B4399, providing a modern, high-standard road that reduces commuter and freight traffic through South Wye residential areas such as Belmont, Walnut Tree Avenue, and Holme Lacy Road.
By tying into both the A49 and A465, Phase One will become a strategically important west-east link on the southern edge of Hereford, improving access to key employment destinations, including the Hereford Enterprise Zone.
Leader of Herefordshire Council, Cllr Jonathan Lester, said:
“This is an exciting and pivotal moment for our county, where we can see the long-awaited plans for the Hereford Bypass start to become reality.
“The Back the Bypass campaign is about securing the investment and government backing our county needs to grow and prosper. For too long, Hereford has been held back by a single congested route through the city. The bypass will change that – unlocking land for businesses, enabling new homes, and supporting thousands of jobs for local people.
“I invite all those who support the full completion of the project to back the bypass and unleash Herefordshire’s future.”
(Picture: Herefordshire.gov/YouTube)
