Herefordshire’s new Local Transport Plan that sets out the county’s transport priorities until 2041, is set to be approved. The Hereford Times reports that the 93-page plan, which Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet is expected to formally back this week, follows extensive consultation with local organisations and residents earlier this year.

It is now confirmed that:

• The promised bypass west of Hereford will enable the “de-trunking” of the main A49 through the city, taking it out of the National Highways network.
• This will enable not only “faster and more reliable” bus journeys, while “key corridors”, yet to be listed, will be given bus priority or even bus-only status.

This in turn will boost the viability bus services between Hereford the market towns, with half-hourly services being brought in to and from Ross-on-Wye and Leominster.

Leominster’s long-delayed Southern Link Road project between Barons Cross and the A49 will be restarted.

• There are to be more electric vehicle charging points, along with zero-emission buses, initially within Hereford, and also “potential decarbonisation of the taxi fleet”.
• New, “appropriate” speed limits will be set, “including 20mph outside identified schools and city streets”, while more low-traffic streets in the city centre will also be looked into.
• A new car parking strategy for Herefordshire will aim to better manage parking demand, including providing more on-street parking.
• A possible car club scheme in Hereford, giving people a cheaper alternative to car ownership, will be “explored”.
• The Beryl bike and e-bike hire scheme in the city will be expanded, and more secure cycle parking provided.

(Picture: Mapillary)