Herefordshire Council's commitment to improving the county’s roads to support everyday life and economic growth.

[Hereford Voice]

Herefordshire Council is restating its commitment to investing in improving the county’s roads, as it publishes its Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report. The report shows how government funding is being used to improve local roads through ‘business as usual’ road maintenance, alongside how additional council funding has boosted the improvements, benefitting local families, businesses and key services.

The recent investment has supported a move towards a more preventative approach to highways maintenance, which in time will lead to a reduction the reactive activity needed.

However, while the report outlines the scale of the maintenance and improvement activity, it does not reflect the full benefit and impact of the council’s additional investment over the past two years due to a time lag in national road condition surveys.

This year (2025/26) Herefordshire road users will benefit from £50million investment, including:

• 75 km (c47 miles) of resurfacing works
• 100 km (62 miles) of surface dressing works to provide preventative treatment.
• The substantial repair of 8 highway structures,
• The delivery of 2 schemes to protect the highway from land slip and river erosion
• The improvement of 50 safety barriers.
• The resurfacing of approximately 8 km of the footway and cycleway network.
• More than 100 small drainage schemes to remove water from the highway network
• The repair of 25,000 potholes, with the current preventative treatment strategy seeking to reduce potholes forming.

This investment directly supports the Herefordshire Council Plan 2024–2028, contributing to:

Helping families: Safer, smoother roads make daily life easier for families, whether commuting, getting to school, or accessing services.

Economic growth: Better roads support local businesses, tradespeople, and workers by improving access and reducing travel time.

Environmental resilience: Drainage improvements and low-carbon materials help protect the environment and adapt to climate change.

Efficient services: A shift toward preventative maintenance reduces long-term costs and improves value for money.

Councillor Jonathan Lester, Leader Herefordshire Council, said:

“We know how important road conditions are to our residents, tradespeople, and businesses, which is why we’re investing in our network.

“This investment is about more than just smoother roads—it’s about supporting everyday life in Herefordshire. Families benefit from safer school runs, reduced vehicle damage, and more reliable travel for work, shopping, and leisure. Small businesses and tradespeople rely on dependable roads to reach customers, deliver goods, and keep their operations running smoothly. Care workers and NHS staff need accessible routes to reach vulnerable residents quickly and safely - especially in rural areas. And people with medical needs depend on timely deliveries of prescriptions, equipment, and home visits, all of which are made easier by well-maintained roads.”

Summer schedule for road resurfacing

The council is continuing its additional investment in the county’s roads during the summer. A surface dressing programme will see 93km (58 miles) of network improved during July and August. And a programme of resurfacing works taking place throughout July and August will focus on improving the health of some key B-roads and C-roads:

July

• B4224 Holme Lacy Bridge to Mordiford
• B4352 - Madley to Woodyatts Cross
• B4218 - Wyche Cutting, Colwall
• B4218 - Walwyn Road, Colwall
• A44 - Golden Cross to Bainstree Cross
• B4220 - Stony Cross to Westfield, Cradley
• B4348 - Much Dewchurch Village

August

• A466 – Wormelow Village
• B4362 - Shobdon to Moor Meadow
• B4352 - Madley Village
• A4110 - Three Elms Road
• B4362- Bateman Arms
• A44 - Bredenbury
• B4234 - Ledbury Road, Ross On Wye
• B4214 - Munderfield Village

July/August

• C1127 - Southbank Road
• C1047 - Kings Road, Orleton
• C1131 - Withies Road, Withington
• C1130 - Lock Lane, Withington
• C1130 - Withington to Whitestone
• C1129 - DUKE STREET, WITHINGTON
• C1105 - Worcester Road, A49 - Enterprise Way (Southern Ave railway bridge)

Funding doubled for road safety improvement schemes

This year (2025/26) the council is investing significant additional funding into road safety improvements such as improved crossings, new signage and signals, having more than doubled the road safety budget from £200,000 to £500,000.

Plus, £3 million has been allocated for new road safety measures at Lock’s Garage and High Cross, and early stage work is already underway to draft initial outline plans for consideration and discussion with key stakeholders.