Herefordshire Council has responded firmly to recent claims suggesting it will not receive the Government funding it relies on for the Hereford bypass.
Local campaign group Herefordshire Transport Alliance (HTA) expressed disappointment after the announcement of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Road Investment Strategy (RIS4) on March 26, noting that the Hereford bypass was not included among the projects listed. However, 13 other potential schemes were highlighted for consideration in RIS4 or future investment pipelines.
Philip Price, the council’s Cabinet member for transport, clarified that the DfT’s statement was not a definitive decision regarding RIS4. “The absence of the Hereford bypass from the list does not mean the project has been ruled out,” he explained. “It remains a viable candidate for inclusion when the RIS4 program is finalized.”
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The council is actively developing the strategic outline business case for Phase Two of the bypass, which will loop around the west of the city. This preparation ensures the project is ready when the Government invites proposals for future road infrastructure funding.
Launched concurrently with the DfT announcement, the council’s Back the Bypass campaign is aimed at building a compelling, evidence-based case emphasizing the project’s economic benefits, contribution to housing delivery, and strong local support.
Councillor Price acknowledged that the timeline for the project depends on the success of these efforts and the composition of the Government. Inclusion in RIS4 would allow work to begin during the 2030-35 funding period.
Despite this, North Herefordshire Green MP remained skeptical, stating there was “no prospect of the government putting hundreds of millions of pounds into a project with such a poor business case.”
HTA raised concerns about the escalating costs of the bypass, suggesting the final price tag could exceed £350 million—much higher than initial estimates. They warned that residents could face increased council tax bills over the coming decades to cover these expenses.
Environmental worries were also highlighted by HTA, which argues that the bypass will damage irreplaceable natural habitats and historic landscapes. The group also questioned the project’s effectiveness in reducing traffic congestion, stating it may instead promote significant housing developments and funnel more vehicles into existing bottlenecks. As spokesperson Liz Morawiecka put it, “The bypass is designed to enable massive housing developments while feeding more traffic into the same bottlenecks.”