Hereford Voice

Herefordshire Councils Cabinet is today set to sign off the proposed new Local Transport Plan, which sets out a clear strategy and priorities to improve the county’s transport network for everyone who lives, works in, and visits Herefordshire. The plan will then go to the full Council for final approval at its meeting on 5 December 2025. The Local Transport Plan (LTP) is designed to give local people more travel options and quicker journeys, whether driving, using public transport, walking, cycling or wheeling. It covers a wide range of new developments over coming years across the county including Hereford’s Western Bypass; new walking and cycling routes; upgraded train stations and bus stops, and more frequent services; additional electric vehicle chargers; targeted traffic calming and road safety investments, and much more. Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “We’re committed to building a better transport network that gives people more choice about how they travel, and makes their journey times quicker. “This Plan sets out the path to a more sustainable, accessible, efficient and resilient network, connecting every corner of our county and meeting the evolving needs of our residents, businesses, and visitors. It’s about improving people’s quality of life, boosting our economy, and will be a cornerstone to building an exciting future for Herefordshire.” A series of action plans set out both major capital infrastructure developments and innovative local projects. It follows consultation with more than 500 local people and organisations. The LTP’s key areas of focus are to improve transport in: Hereford city: the county’s largest urban centre, where congestion is highest and the potential for sustainable travel is greatest Market towns and rural areas: home to around 70% of the population, where challenges including dependency on using cars, and limited public transport The county-wide Transport Network: underpinning infrastructure that enables us to get around, including highways, rail, freight, and digital connectivity The Plan sets out five main objectives, to: Support a thriving and prosperous economy for Herefordshire. Give people more choices and opportunity for Active Travel, helping improve health and wellbeing Tackle climate change: protecting and enhancing our natural and built environment Improve accessibility and inclusion, so everyone has the choice to travel how they want Make travel across the county safe and secure The full Local Transport Plan and a short summary guide will be published when the document is fully approved by Herefordshire Council at its meeting on Friday 5 December 2025.

Ross-on-Wye Town Council is pleased to confirm that the official Twinning Agreement between Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch, Ukraine will be formally signed on Friday 5th December at 3pm. This historic signing marks the beginning of a long and supportive partnership between our two towns built on solidarity, collaboration and a shared commitment to recovery and resilience. The partnership aims to promote cultural understanding, friendship and the celebration of shared heritage between the communities of Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch. The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr Linden Delves, said: “I am delighted to be signing the twinning agreement between Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch in Ukraine. The agreement will strengthen the cultural ties between our towns and demonstrates our support for, and solidarity with, the people of Ovruch” The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr Linden Delves and the Chairman of Ovruch, Korud Ivan Yaroslavovych, will take part in an online signing ceremony to commemorate this special occasion.

West Mercia Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision in Herefordshire yesterday evening (Saturday 8 November). The collision happened around 5:30pm on the C1125, between Hereford and Sutton St Nicholas when a grey VW Polo, black BMW 1 series and grey Mazda 6 collided. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a man in his 80s who was driving the VW Polo, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody. We would like to hear from anyone who saw, or who has dashcam footage, of the collision itself or the vehicles in the minutes before. In particular, we would like to hear from the driver of a Tesla who we believe could be a key witness of the grey VW Polo minutes before the collision. Please email sciusouth@westmercia.police.uk and quote reference number 00342_i of the 8 November.

Yes and Stefan has now also copied our Good Morning! feature and we noticed this some time ago but now he is also copying our idea of 'Motivational Quotes' too! We have been sharing quotes like these for years. Here is today's example Oh look 👀 👇 He thinks we do not notice, but we notice everything and so do plenty of our followers. We should be flattered by this but it's becoming very very odd, it's like do they have no originality? 'We Lead Others Follow'

Today will published a topic about fireworks with Bonfire night just around the corner 🎆 This promoted our stalker to also share a topic on fireworks not long after...

Hereford Voice have supported this fabulous event since it began and we’re excited to announce the return of the incredible local event this Christmas season: The Hereford Christmas Tractor Run promises to be spectacular celebrations of festive spirit, community, and charitable giving. 🚜 ✨ Hereford Christmas Tractor Run 📅 Saturday, December 20th Get ready for a festive convoy of brilliantly decorated tractors as they light up the streets of Hereford. Expect a dazzling display that’s sure to bring joy to all ages! Routes: Keep an eye out for route details to be announced soon – these routes will allow you to enjoy the best views of these stunning vehicles in action! 🌟 A Community-Focused Event The Hereford Christmas Tractor Runs have become much-loved fixtures in the local holiday calendar. This fabulous event we have supported since it began has raised thousands ££££'s for charity, highlighting the powerful impact that such community-driven events can have. With hundreds of spectators lining the streets, the atmosphere is always vibrant, fun, and family-friendly. The involvement of local businesses, farmers, and families in decorating the tractors adds a unique personal touch that truly embodies the Christmas spirit. These events are not just about seeing the spectacular display of lights and festive décor—they’re also about giving back to those who need it most. 🎄 Why Participate? Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Christmas Tractor Runs offer a fantastic opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones. It’s an event that welcomes people of all ages to come together, enjoy the festive displays, and take part in the broader spirit of giving during the holiday season. 💫 Get Involved! If you’re interested in taking part—whether by decorating a tractor or helping with event organization—reach out to the event coordinators. Every year, more families, groups, and businesses get involved, making the event even more special. 🚜 Details | When Farmers Do Christmas Let’s make this year’s Christmas Tractor Run bigger and better than ever before! Keep your eyes peeled for the route details, and get ready to spread the festive cheer! 🚜✨🎄 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁! 📸 Just Jon Simpson #Hereford | #ChristmasTractorRun | #HerefordChristmasRun | #FestiveFun | #CommunitySpirit | #CharityEvent | #Herefordshire

The restaurant located at Hereford Retail Park, Newtown Road Hereford is now closed with the independent unit in SouthWye remains open. DC London Pie, the firm running Pizza Hut’s UK dine-in restaurants under a franchise deal, appointed administrators from corporate finance firm FTI on Monday. Pizza Hut is restructuring and will shut 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites American hospitality giant Yum! Brands, which owns the global Pizza Hut business, said it has now bought the UK restaurant operation in a pre-pack administration deal, saving 64 sites. Here are the locations of Pizza Hut restaurants set for closure: Dine In restaurant locations Ashton, Lancashire Beckton, London Bolton, Lancashire Bournemouth, Dorset Bradford Vicar Lane, West Yorkshire Brighton Marina, East Sussex Bristol, Avon Cardiff, South Glamorgan Carlisle, Cumbria Chatham, Kent Clacton, Essex Cortonwood, South Yorkshire Crawley, West Sussex Cribbs Causeway, Avon Croydon, Surrey Dudley, West Midlands Dundee, Dundee Durham City, County Durham Eastbourne, East Sussex Edinburgh, Scotland Edinburgh Fountain Park Edinburgh Kinnaird Park Enfield, Middlesex Falkirk, Scotland Feltham, Middlesex Finchley Lido, London Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Greenwich, London Grimsby, Lincolnshire Hartlepool, Cleveland Hayes, Middlesex Hereford, Herefordshire Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Hull, East Yorkshire Inverness, Scotland Kettering, Northamptonshire Kidderminster, Worcestershire Lancaster, Lancashire Leeds Colton Mill, West Yorkshire Leeds Kirkstall Road, West Yorkshire Leeds White Rose, West Yorkshire Liverpool, Merseyside Llanelli, Dyfed Lowestoft, Suffolk Manchester Fort, Lancashire Middlesbrough, Cleveland Norwich, Norfolk Oldham, Lancashire Portsmouth, Hampshire Preston, Lancashire Reading Gate, Berkshire Rhyl, Clwyd Rochdale, Lancashire Romford, Essex Russell Square, London Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire Shrewsbury, Shropshire Silverlink, Tyne & Wear Solihull, West Midlands St Helens, Merseyside Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire Thanet, Kent Tower Park, Dorset Truro, Cornwall Urmston, Lancashire Wellingborough, Northamptonshire Wigan, Lancashire Yeovil, Somerset Delivery site locations Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Bletchley, Milton Keynes Coventry North, West Midlands Coventry West, West Midlands Dunstable, Bedfordshire Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Luton, Bedfordshire Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Rugby, Warwickshire Uxbridge, Middlesex Wolverton, Milton Keynes

'Should Have Gone To Specsavers' 🤓 Photo courtesy of Chris Powell On a serious note, a UPS Van has made contact with Specsavers unit in Ledbury. Fire crews from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are currently dealing with this incident. There are no reports of any injuries thankfully.

A rapist who preyed on a woman he met in a nightclub has today (Friday 17 October) been sentenced at court to eight years. Twana Azize, 29, of College Road, Hereford, was sentenced for the attack which took place in Hereford city centre in the early hours of a Sunday morning in May this year. He met his victim in a nightclub in the city. Azize was found guilty of rape at Worcester Crown Court on 22 August. Today he was sentenced to eight years and further ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Azize took advantage of the woman, isolating her from friends at the club before preventing her from getting a taxi home. He then led her away from the taxi rank and raped her in a secluded street away from members of the public. The victim managed to get a taxi home and reported the incident. Azize was then arrested following a CCTV trawl and subsequent searches by police. Despite denying the offences, forensic examination of his clothes supported evidence leading to the charge. Detective Constable James Smith of Hereford Reactive CID said: “We are pleased to get justice today with this custodial sentence for Azize - a sexual predator who belongs behind bars. “Azize preyed on a woman who was on a night out with friends, taking advantage of her and forcibly preventing her from getting home safely so he could rape and attack her. “We know the sentencing will not remove the memory of this awful incident for his victim, but we hope it may help her to start to move on in her life. “We hope today’s result shows we will always listen to anyone who has concerns about or has been a victim of rape or sexual abuse and prosecute where appropriate, and that it may encourage anyone who has suffered similar abuse to come forward and speak to us. “We will always take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Azize.” You can report sexual offences and rape on West Mercia Police Website and Always call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org

We had a big response to our 'Which Mobile Network Has The Best Coverage Across Herefordshire?' recently The response was so good it never went unnoticed by our spy and yes you guessed it...👇

Key Features Hereford city centre – investment opportunity Annual rental income of £26,340 – 9% yield Two-storey public house premises Retail unit currently let to barbers Self-contained flat let on SHT For sale after 50 years in same families’ hands Location: Hereford Price: Freehold £290,000 CONTACT: 01981 250333 This property, The Stables Public House and ancillary premises stands at the very heart of Hereford City Centre just off the main pedestrianised area near to the junction of West Street with Broad Street. Hereford, as well as being a cathedral city, is a county town for Herefordshire and serves a wide agricultural community with the city also having a population of approximately 60,000. It stands astride the River Wye and attracts tourists and visitors throughout the year in addition to its own commercial activity. Indeed, the Cathedral, which is a few hundred yards from the subject property, is renowned for being the home of the Mappa Mundi, the oldest known map of the world with a visitor centre having been built there, part-funded by John Paul Getty. The Stables (formerly The Stagecoach) is a black and white Grade II listed building at the heart of the city centre having much period charm and character. In addition to the main two-storey pub premises, there is a self-contained shop unit currently let to a barbers as well as an independent flat let to an additional tenant. In all, the property produces a rental income of over £26,000 offering a purchaser a 9% yield on their investment. This is a high return being obtained from owning this historic and prestigious premises. The property is briefly described as follows: Public House At ground floor is the open-plan BAR AREA which possibly at one time would have been three separate rooms. Part boarded and part tiled floor, counter from central BAR SERVERY having tongue and groove panelled frontage. There is assorted fixed and loose seating for up to 30 customers with standing space for more. Fireplace with exposed antique brick chimneybreast and beamed lintel over. Staircase access to the RESTAURANT which is partitioned in five sections by beamed screens. Serving counter. Beamed walls and vaulted beamed ceiling, boarded floor with some carpeted areas and traditional seating for 62 customers. Also at first floor is the pub's OFFICE. The CATERING KITCHEN has Altro nonslip flooring, fully UPVC or stainless steel panelled walls, stainless steel galvanised extraction canopy and a selection of stainless steel catering effects and work surfaces. Walk-in DRY STORE with FREEZER ROOM adjacent including walk-in COLD ROOM. Set of LADIES' and GENTLEMEN'S CUSTOMER TOILETS. Shop Premises SHOP PREMISES currently used as a hairdressing salon which is approximately 4m x 6m and has a fireplace with exposed antique brick chimney breast, access through to the rear STORE ROOM which is 3m x 4m with small KITCHEN AREA and STAFF WC. Self-contained Flat Above the shop premises is a first-floor flat which consists of KITCHEN/LOUNGE/DINER with DOUBLE BEDROOM with EN SUITE SHOWER ROOM. External To the rear of the property is a covered COURTYARD AREA which is block paved and has picnic style bench seating for customer use. Full details of this investment opportunity - https://www.sidneyphillips.co.uk/business-detail/95991

Starting Monday, November 3, Herefordshire Council will launch its Safer School Streets initiative at five local schools, creating safer and healthier environments for children and families. The scheme will restrict vehicle access during school drop-off and pick-up times, directly addressing concerns raised by residents, schools, and parish councils. Issues such as pavement parking, stressful and unsafe conditions outside school gates, blocked driveways, and limited opportunities for children to travel independently have all contributed to the need for the initiative. By limiting vehicle access during peak times, safety will be improved around school entrances, air pollution will be reduced and traffic congestion eased. It also encourages families to embrace active travel options such as walking, wheeling, cycling, or scooting, fostering healthier habits and a stronger sense of community. Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure at Herefordshire Council, said: Safer School Streets will help make the areas outside school entrances safer and more pleasant for everyone. We have seen similar successful initiatives across the country offer a proactive solution to tackling congestion and road danger while encouraging more active and sustainable travel to and from school. The initiative forms part of the wider Improving Transport in Hereford programme, backed by a £19.9 million investment from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. It reflects the council’s commitment to delivering meaningful improvements to transport and travel across the city. Kim Lane, Headteacher at Lugwardine Primary Academy, said: Along with the parents and staff of Lugwardine Primary Academy we are delighted to be part of the Safer School Streets initiative, supporting our families and wider community in ensuring our routes to school are safe. The scheme will be introduced at: Broadlands Primary School – Broadlands Lane, from the junction of Aylestone Hill Lord Scudamore Academy – Friars Street, from the junction of Barton Road Lugwardine Primary Academy – Barnaby Avenue from the junction at Burdon Drive Riverside Primary School – Belmont Avenue, from the junction of Belmont Court, and Hunderton Avenue from the junction at Hunderton Road Trinity Primary School – Barricombe Drive from the junction at Moor Farm Lane/Sheridan Road During term time, vehicle access will be restricted between 8:10am–9:10am and 2:50pm–3:50pm on weekdays. Herefordshire Council is contacting eligible individuals directly with instructions on how to apply for a free permit. Who can apply for a permit: ✅ Businesses in the zone and their visitors ✅ Residents in the zone and their visitors ✅ Healthcare providers working at properties in the zone ✅ Blue badge holders with a legitimate reason for entering the zone ✅ A number of vehicles will be exempt without needing a permit: ✅ Emergency vehicles ✅ Street cleansing and waste collection ✅ Postal service vehicles (liveried vehicles only) ✅ Utility companies (such as water, electricity, and gas companies) attending emergency works ✅ School buses and taxis ✅ Public transport To learn more about the scheme, including exemption criteria and alternative parking options please visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/saferschoolstreets

Two men from Herefordshire were part of a trio who have been sentenced to a total of 75 years for the attempted murder and kidnap of Merthyr man earlier this year. Just after 10pm on Monday, February 10, 2025, a 28-year-old man from Merthyr presented at hospital with multiple stab wounds. Officers attended and it was established the victim had been forced into a vehicle and assaulted. The incident unfolded when the victim arrived at a retail park in a car with his girlfriend to meet Luke Williams, who had invited him. The victim was forcibly taken into another car by Tyshane Brown and Williams, where he was blindfolded and kidnapped. Despite his attempts to escape, he was overpowered and stabbed. During the abduction, a phone call was made to the victim’s girlfriend from inside the car, demanding a ransom of £5,000. She heard the victim pleading for help, shouting that he was being stabbed and that they had knives and a gun. As the ordeal continued, the victim was driven around the Merthyr area while blindfolded and further assaulted. His girlfriend quickly informed his dad who rallied three friends to help rescue him. Arrangements were made with the kidnappers for the ransom delivery, with the girlfriend rolling up a jacket to simulate the cash and leaving it at the retail park. A rescue attempt by the victim’s dad and his friends was thwarted when they approached the car. A window was smashed in the car during the chaos, but the victim was unable to escape. The car sped away, with the victim’s dad in pursuit, eventually ramming the vehicle in an effort to free the victim. In the process, the victim sustained more injuries, including a stab wound to his hamstring. Eventually, he was transported to hospital where it was confirmed he had been stabbed nine times, including a severe wound to his abdomen. Officers later located the abandoned car which had been reported by a member of the public and discovered a significant bloodstain inside. A subsequent medical examination revealed multiple injuries to the victim, including wounds to his face, abdomen, back, groin, and thigh, along with signs of internal bleeding. Despite being sought by police, Williams and Brown were spotted together just two days after the incident at a BP petrol station in Herefordshire. On February 27, officers arrested Williams and Brown at a caravan park in Kidderminster. During a search of the caravan, police found items including a balaclava, a knife, and clothing matching what Williams wore in the BP footage. All three were sentenced last week for attempted murder; section 18 GBH; kidnap; blackmail; possession of a firearm; and possession of a bladed article. ▪️ George Miles-Williams, 24, from Careless Close, Hereford, was sentenced to 20 years ▪️Luke Williams, 19, from Clifford, Hereford, was sentenced to 25 years ▪️Tyshane Brown, 30, from Freshford Court, Grange Road, Weymouth, was sentenced to 30 years

A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Bromyard on Saturday (27 September). Emergency services attended an address on Apple Tree Close around 6am and a 61-year-old woman was sadly found deceased. Julian Thomas, 54, of no fixed abode is charged with murder and has been remanded to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Tuesday 30 September).