Breaking News | Hereford Old Bridge To Reopen End of September

[Hereford Voice]

In line with government advice on the removal of many Covid-19 restrictions, Herefordshire Council will begin the process of removing some Emergency Active Travel Measures following the 19 July 2021. 

Some measures will be removed in the weeks following the 19th July, whilst the removal of others will follow after the summer to allow a more sensible and balanced return to pre-Covid streetscapes. 

The initial elements to be removed are:

• Footway widening in High Street Bromyard, Broad Street and King Street Hereford
• Temporary 20mph limits in Hereford and the Market Towns
• Highway Covid warning signage in Ross on Wye & Kington
• Friday closure of High Street Leominster
• Extension to closure time of Widemarsh Street Hereford

Elements to be removed at the end of September:

• Old Wye Bridge Closure Hereford
• Footway widening in Bridge Street Hereford

The following elements are to remain for the time being:

• Closure of Aubrey Street Hereford
• Advisory cycle lane on Ledbury Road Hereford

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Transport, said: 

Quote

“In line with the government’s advice that social distancing and other restrictions are no longer mandatory, we will start to return roads and pavements back to their original layout. 

“During this period many hospitality outlets have applied for pavement licences which we have been happy to support to allow these local Herefordshire businesses to trade as best as possible. Businesses will be able to continue trading until these licences expire at the end of September, so that they and patrons can enjoy the summer and school holidays.

“After some consideration we have decided to keep the Old Bridge closed to non-pedestrian or cycling traffic (except emergency vehicles, buses and taxis) until the end of September. We have seen significant increases in walking and cycling in this area during the partial closure and I hope businesses who were initially nervous have seen the benefits of slower and less congested streets. The footway widening in Bridge Street will remain in place until 30 September to support the continuing closure of the Old Bridge and street pavement licences.         

“I want to thank everyone for their input over the last few months, I know these measures were not universally popular but I believe this period of restrictions has allowed us to see a different way of using our streets. I am committed to providing the best environment for both continued use of motor vehicles in the centre of Hereford whilst encouraging better walking and cycling routes and better use of our pavements for hospitality outlets. 

“We are working towards a masterplan for the City environs and will consult fully with all stakeholders and the public to get the best input for the vision we hopefully all share for our vibrant city and market towns.” 

 

[Paul Jones]

Prefer it when it is closed, nice and relaxed with lots of people and cyclists using it, sort of got used to it now.

[Mick]

34 minutes ago, Paul Jones said:

Prefer it when it is closed, nice and relaxed with lots of people and cyclists using it, sort of got used to it now.

Me too

[Peter Thomas-Cruttwell]

At least people will stop complaining or actually on second thought they probably won't 🤔

[ragwert]

We are working towards a masterplan for the City environs and will consult fully with all stakeholders and the public to get the best input for the vision we hopefully all share for our vibrant city and market towns.

A few questions about this master plan.*

Who are these people working towards a master plan.
Do they live or travel in Hereford.
What professional expertise do they have.
Have they been tested to see if they have common sense.

[megilleland]

Hastily abandoned low-traffic schemes could cost councils funding

Transport minister warns local authorities not to remove cycle lanes or other reduction measures without evidence of their failure

Councils which rip out cycle lanes or low-traffic neighbourhoods before giving them a chance to work or without evidence they are failing could lose future central government funding, ministers have warned.

In a sign of the growing frustration within government at some councils, both Conservative and Labour, which have removed active travel schemes in the face of sometimes noisy objections, transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris is formally writing to the leaders of all English local authorities with transport responsibilities.

In separate comments, Boris Johnson warned councils that he was serious about boosting active travel, saying that “trying to squeeze more cars and delivery vans on the same roads and hoping for the best is not going to work”.

“I support councils, of all parties, which are trying to promote cycling and bus use,” the prime minister said. “And if you are going to oppose these schemes, you must tell us what your alternative is.”

In his comments, Johnson directly tackled the charge from opponents of low-traffic neighbourhoods and similar schemes that they simply move traffic to other roads, saying: “Of course some journeys by car are essential, but traffic is not a force of nature. It is a product of people’s choices. If you make it easier and safer to walk and cycle, more people choose to walk and cycle instead of driving, and the traffic falls overall.”

Heaton-Harris’s letter, being sent on Friday, warns councils that if schemes installed using central government money, such as funds provided to boost walking and cycling during Covid, are then hastily abandoned, this could affect future grants.

“Premature removal of schemes carries implications for the management of the public money used in these schemes and for the government’s future funding relationship with the authorities responsible,” wrote Heaton-Harris.

 

Wonder if the Bridge Street scheme came under this scheme?