Maggie May

Graham Powell must do a great job in his area as when I had a day out in the Olchon Valley last year the whole road had been completely resurfaced, you could have played bowls on it the surface was so smooth. I couldnt believe it as when you cycle around Hereford City the road surfaces are really bad. Bath St by the Kerry Arms has a particularly nasty pothole around the drain cover if you get that far, and as for Union Street you dont want to be actually sitting on your saddle as you go along - enough said! There are plenty more bad roads but I wont go on. For £2million we could surely have improved and resurfaced more of the City's roads for people like me trying to cycle and leave the car behind. As it is I feel very nervous having to cycle in the middle of the road to avoid the worst of the poor road surfaces, especially around the drain covers, though I must admit car drivers on the whole have been very good, only overtaking if there is no oncoming traffic. This has really helped my confidence and encouraged me to keep cycling despite the roads. I cant believe that yet again Consultants get loads of money when we have no library and our Citizens Advice Bureau is going.

I have heard that the Council have already spent over £2million on consultants fees just for the planning application. Why? How does this road help tackle congestion going into Hereford? I wonder how much money Herefordshire Council are paying for this road someone said the whole project is costing over £35million. Will there be any money left for the walkers and cyclists who need better access ACROSS SOUTH WYE and to and from the various schools such as Marlbrook? Cllr Rone says that Marlbrook Primary school needs to be expanded for taking extra children but it cant be done until access is sorted out. But then it seems there isn't any money for doing this.

I dont know if this is correct but I have heard that the Southern Link Road is due to be decided at a planning meeting on Monday 6th June. Someone was hoping that alot of people would turn up and show that the public do not want this waste of money (on top of all the other money the council seem to be wasting on their vanity projects). Does anyone know where the meeting will take place and at what time? Apparently Cllr Chappell has said he wants this road, which surprised me as it will make the noise, traffic and air quality along the A49 in his ward alot worse for his residents as the queues along this road will be much worse, and more accidents are expected as a result. There have already been to many accidents on the A49 just south of Hereford in the last 12 months. I had hoped that Chris Chappell would speak up for his residents and tackle the congestion before they build this pointless road. Perhaps he ought to read some of the information others have posted on Hereford Voice about this road and why it is a monumental waste of our money.

When I was much younger we didnt have half the traffic problems because we walked and cycled everywhere! We didnt get driven to and from school, and if we wanted to go any distance we used buses. I must admit going back to cycling is taking me back to those days, and this year smelling the blossom on the trees, even along Great Western Way, or hearing the birds sing as I cycle home in the evening is proving really life enhancing. I have met a few other people from my street who have also recently taken to cycling - it is a really nice start to the day as everyone says hello, when we pass or meet at junctions. Cycling isnt just for lycra clad middle age men it should be for everyone, and so I would rather the council spend as much time promoting cycling and walking as it is doing promoting a "bypass". If we all cycled there would be no need for more petrol station, but a few more affordable homes could be built as were originally planned for this site - and which are needed much more than another petrol station. All these petrol stations take money OUT of the local economy and mean there is less money to be spent keeping shops and other local businesses going in Hereford. I for one dont want to support the Americans and Wallmart who own Asda.

Thank you Denise for these figures. I am no mathematician but I thought the figures dont add up for any of the road schemes. Why cant Herefordshire Council get the basics right - for example providing a main library service, somewhere where you can find bus timetables, keeping children safe, cleaning the streets, filling potholes, etc? Instead they are fudging figures on grandiose road projects that dont help anyone or the congestion.

Denise do you know why both the City Link Road and the South Wye Transport Strategy are both showing as costing £27Million. My friend says that the Southern Link Road is expected to cost £27million on its own. So where is the extra money for creating the tree lined "boulevard" down Belmont Road promoted by Councillor Phil Edwards.? Does this mean we have cuts in our bus services, library services, rubbish road surfaces and pavements, but they can build a brand new road that no one I know wants or will use. All my friends want more regular buses to get them into town and for their children not to have to stand on the school buses when their parents have paid for a ticket.

This assumes Cllr Price wants to improve traffic flows in Hereford. I have said somewhere else, that my friend thinks that this Council will keep making the traffic worse and worse in the run up to the Southern Link Road planning application. They are adding extra traffic lights to Edgar St for the City Link Road, and I think Dippy Hippy said there are to be 4 sets of traffic lights along this new City Link Road. So Herefordshire Council arent looking at reducing the number of traffic lights anytime soon in Hereford.

I am completely undecided about In or Out of Europe. There are many things I dont like- in particular the lack of accountability to the electorate and the way money seems to be all over the place in the EU - but then that could also be said of the UK. The radio this week was saying how the academy programme which the Conservatives are trying to make compulsory, has not published any accounts for how the money involved has been spent. I hear the Marches LEP has never ever produced any accounts since it was created over 6 years ago, even though it handles millions of pounds of taxpayers money - this body is even less democratic than Europe as it is mainly business people who have never been elected by anyone as their representative! What I do see in Europe is that the transport infrastructure is much better and more reliable than ours, and the culture of walking and cycling and excellent public transport seems to give residents a good quality of life where they live, with good independent shops as well as supermarkets. The EU is also trying very hard to improve air quality for residents across the EU. Imagine if we didnt have the EU - who in the UK would care that tens of thousands of people every year die from air pollution? You can see that whilst the people living near Bargates in Leominster have some of the worst air pollution, Herefordshire Council is not prepared to do anything anytime soon to tackle it. London is so much worse, but without the EU would any UK government actually care about the poor man in the street going to an early grave? As well as fresh air, Europe is keen to protect fresh water. If you visit many European countries you cannot discharge waste into rivers/the sea etc, I would never swim any where around Southampton and the Isle of Wight as every single sailing boat can just pump its sewage straight into the sea regardless of the impact on the water quality and whether they are close to shore and people going for a swim. Likewise Cornwall and Devon where surfers have had to challenge the authorities for years to try and stop sewage being pumped into the sea water close to the shore, where holiday makers are swimming and surfing. Without Europe the River Wye would face increasing pollution, worsening the damage that has already been done to it over the years. I have nieces and nephews who are looking to study in Europe when they finish 6th form,as University fees are much cheaper than the UK. They can complete a degree and will not be burdened with the same level of debt facing UK students. If we look at standards in British schools, they have shown that the children who usually perform the worst are white British pupils, as nearly every other migrant family values education and children improving themselves and trying to get good jobs, where ever that may be. I wish the politicians would shut up and let us have the unvarnished facts for both sides. It is for the people to decide this referendum and not the politicians.

My friend who lives in that part of Hereford says that all the money from the developers was spent on widening the footpaths along a stretch of the Roman Road to make them combined, footpaths and cycleways - until they run out by the Cotswold mini garage. I think there were also supposed to be footpath improvements for children in the new houses to be able to walk to the local St Francis Primary school, as without them, even though the walk would be short it would be life threatening for an adult, let alone a child of any young age. I don't think the Roman Road housing developers had to fund upgrades to the A road heading towards Worcester as surely such a main road is entirely the responsibility of Herefordshire Council. If any one knows any different it would be useful to know.

Denise, Why is this "bypass" stopping on the A49 and not going around to the Worcester Road. Surely the single track railway bridge with traffic lights should be widened to get rid of these traffic lights and keep traffic heading to and from Worcester/Malvern flowing freely? I rarely go that way but the other day the traffic was held up due to the width of 2 large lorries trying to pass each other just before Booker as the road was is so narrow.

Personally as a carer why should all this money (£100s of millions?) be spent on a road which apparently wont tackle congestion? Could we all perhaps just ask what are the real priorities in our communities and what is best for future generations? I would prefer a few more beds in Hereford Hospital - If you have ever spent any time there you will know that despite the wonderful health staff working in Herefordshire there is just no capacity, certainly not for all the extra people the Council say are looking to live in Herefordshire. All the people I know who have moved to Herefordshire in the last 2 years are all retired people from the South East. In the next 10-15 years these people will be requiring more and more health services as they get older. By 2031 they will completely overload the adult social care budget of Herefordshire Council, and what will they have instead - a road around Hereford, when they are all trying to get to the Hereford Hospital in the City centre. The other week we couldnt get to see the GP for over 2 weeks and even the GP suggested we go to the walk in centre in Asda due to recent high demand for health services and a lack of GPs in the County. There were some very poorly people at Asda and at the time there was limited access to A&E (which is often inappropriate) due to the demand. Surely we ought to be looking at our health services and investing in these. There are so many other things that could be done with this money to improve our local communities and make them happier and healthier - how about our libraries? Hereford library was a great place but it has been shut for months. The Council claims it hasn't got any money to sort it out and make it fit for the 21st Century, even with plans for a university coming to Hereford. So why has it got so much money for this massive road project but not for anything else?

Glenda I thought this plan for Belmont Road was all part of the South Wye Transport Package as this was what was shown at the public meetings in Belmont. If this isnt happening in South Wye what is? Is it just the new Southern Link Road with nothing else happening?

Thank you again Denise for keeping the people on Hereford Voice up to speed on what is REALLY happening. Hereford Voice is where people are informed right up to date with what is happening in Hereford. When you see the film clip and then read the Hereford Times, it seems that the local newspaper just regurgitates the Council's press release with no thought to what is happening behind closed doors. As I have said before, I dont trust Cllr Bramer after what I heard about him voting to keep a paid job on the Council. It now looks like the Leader of HC is equally unreliable in what he says and what actually happens. I feel so sorry for all the people who have been lied to and stand to lose their homes. I am sure they would rather have been told the bald facts that they didn't stand a chance from the outset, and needed to sell up, move home, find schools for their children, etc rather than being promised that nothing nasty would happen, when there was every intention of kicking them out. Also, well done Hereford Voice on offering this platform where informed people like Denise can tell it as it is, and give the proper facts, unpolished or skewed by some Council spin doctor.

Why do we need a cycle lane down Belmont road? When ever I am cycling to and from Belmont I use the Great Western Way and the cycle path up the back of Tesco, I just wish that they would get on with the extension up to Belmont Abbey/Ruckall Lane as then on the longer evenings I could go a bit further and enjoy the beauty of Herefordshire - with great views of the Cathedral from that lane. This week I have seen so many young children learning to ride their bikes being taught by their parents along the GWW. I personally would rather the Council had spent money on cycling infrastructure than all the consultants and documents spent on this "plan". I wanted to respond to the Local Transport Plan for the rubbish that it is, but it was impossible. What on earth is an SEA? I would be interested to know if all the Cabinet members and elected councillors actually read and responded to this consultation, and if so, how easy did they find it?. AS Hereford Voice has said for many years - there could be a lot of simpler (and cheaper) ways to tackle congestion in Hereford than all the Councils daft ideas - turning off traffic lights Can I suggest my own traffic solutions - before any decisons on transport are made :- 1. Council are not allowed to install a new set of traffic lights unless they have first removed 2 sets of traffic lights elsewhere. 2. Councillors can only vote on transport issues when they have each spent a month walking, cycling and using public transport and not using their cars in any way. (I think a young person challenged some to do this and I am not aware that any took it up). I sometimes wonder if the people making the decisions actually know how to get around Hereford, especially if you are on a low income and cant afford a car.

AS I have said before, I am sure the whole proposal with the extra traffic having to go round Edgar St roundabout + extra traffic lights on Edgar Street at this new junction, should bring the A49 to a complete standstill in Hereford. The Council then say they have to build a "bypass" because of the congestion in the City - when in fact the Council have caused the whole problem. Mind you if ever there was an incentive for everyone to get on their bikes (you could then just get off at these traffic lights cross the road and then go up towards Holmer!) this junction design should make it happen.

Thank you again Denise. The Herefordshire Council website shows Model Farm Ross-on-Wye on its Economic Development Projects as a Current Project. The website says:- Model Farm We are hoping to develop a new employment park at Model Farm, Ross-on-Wye. The 10ha site will be aimed at attracting high skill knowledge, science and engineering based companies looking to locate in an attractive rural setting but still close to the M50 and wider motorway network. The principle of development has already been approved and a planning application has been submitted for the proposed infrastructure works. We are keen to encourage innovative building designs to good sustainable standards and are now looking for a development partner to take the project forward. For more information, contact us on 01432 261758 or at economicinvestment@herefordshire.gov.uk Is this 10 Hectarres the size of the Smallholding? If so it looks like planning permission or development has already been granted. Or is this another site altogether?

Funny that the Hereford Times report this news item from the Council newsroom. The Hereford Times never published online the Parish Council's letter of objection to the sale of the small holdings estate that Denise referred to earlier. Can I say thank you Denise for keeping us so well informed on this and so many other matters. You do a better job than many of the paid reporters in Herefordshire in keeping the public up dated about what is really going on. I see from some of the comments on the HT website that the SLR just happens to go through the farms the Council owns at Grafton. Has this gone to planning yet? Not much need as the Council are hardly going to say no to a road that increases the value of their own land for housing development. Anyone else ever read Tom Sharpe's "Blot on the Landscape" - seems tame in comparison with Herefordshire Council and Harry Bramer doing land deals when he is not visiting Central America.

A friend of mine says that people involved in the Rotherwas Enterprise Zone want more walking, cycling routes and better and more frequent bus services to the area to help their employees and reduce traffic in the area. Apparently if the Southern Link Road is built it will increase traffic on the A49 and this is against the agreement the Council made with the Highways Agency and so will actually stop new businesses moving to the area rather than encouraging them. Surely it will be quicker and easier for the Council to improve walking, cycling and public transport and reduce car use rather build this massively expensive road option. If they build the road first I bet the walking, cycling and bus improvements will never happen as we will be told "the money has run out"! The Council are only just doing the improvements to Holme Lacy road which we were originally promised would happen straight away after they built the "Rotherwas Relief Road". I understand that these are only happening now because of the local IOC councillor and the local parish councillors are pushing for it and trying to get the lorries and cars to use the new road built for them.

Agree that they all eat healthy food, freshly prepared and rarely snack on sweets and chocolates between meals and I cant say I have seen children drinking sugary/fizzy drinks. Also, when I was out and about on Friday which was a gloriously sunny day there were lots of families walking and enjoying the riverside path and Great Western way, and children playing in the play areas provided. I heard alot of Polish and Eastern european languages. Eating healthily and taking exercise and encouraging it from an early age seems to be the answer!

I take it that Herefordshire Council cant unblock and mark the left hand lane of Victoria street for vehicles turning left towards Whitecross, This would give 2 lanes open for traffic on Victoria Street with just one heading towards the Edgar Street roundabout. I must admit that I was very glad I had taken up cycling earlier this year - the conditions were perfect and cycling home the birds were singing their little hearts out a really lovely ride. A couple of people I met yesterday (all young and working age) had taken over an hour to drive from Three Elms or Belmont within the city - this would take less than 15 minutes by bike. They told me they wouldnt be cycling to work today either. Such a shame as this is just adding to the congestion and shows how people hold onto the "benefits" of their car when there arent any! Conditions for walking or cycling couldnt be better either - no rain, no wind and slow moving traffic everywhere.

Thanks Megilleland for your photos - to me it seems alot of people use the rubbish bins provided but the Council are not emptying these bins. A bit of windy weather like last week and this lots then gets blown everywhere. Yes there is fly tipping and people just dropping litter, but the photos above show that a bigger problem is the Council not collecting rubbish in the first place. How on earth do you encourage a young child to put rubbish in any of those bins? On another thread we had this posted which I think was a letter to the Hereford Times April 2015 I WOULD like to respond to the letter from Kirstie Macfarlane (Tourists don’t want to see rubbish dump, Letters, March 6). There is no doubt that because there are disgusting people about, we have a problem. It is nonsense, and utterly misleading, for the council to plead lack of resources as a defence to a claim that the litter problem is not being tackled. Under Section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a council has an absolute duty to pick up litter, and there is basically no excuse for not doing so. Under Section 91 an individual aggrieved by the presence of litter can take action against the council in the magistrates’ court. That is precisely what I did some years ago when I lived in Hereford and became fed up with wading through litter. I issued some 30 abatement notices against the council under the Act. They ignored them, I took the council to court, won the case, and things temporarily improved. The procedure is all set out in the excellent website www.litteraction.org.uk. Everything is explained and there is a step-by-step procedure to follow etc. I am willing, as a retired lawyer, to assist anyone who cares to take the council to task (my email is kipcarwaistell@hotmail.com), and am happy to try and form a group (contact me if you are interested) to keep an eye on litter everywhere in the county, with the object of submerging the council with litter abatement notices. The council must be forced to act. Schools and parents need to educate the young that dropping litter is a filthy habit, and the police/council need to adopt a zero-tolerance policy to offenders. After all, with a maximum fine of £2,500, one should be able to discourage this obnoxious minority. I also took the council and their contractors to court for £400 damage sustained by my car as a result of potholes and recovered my outlay (but only because of a lucky technicality!). It is a disgrace that the council allows repairs to be so badly done, rather than take the contractors to task for shoddy work. I see the same potholes open up time and time again, because the repairs are not done properly. This new group could try to do something in this respect too. KIP WAISTELL Vowchurch Anyone up for issuing a notice to the Council for failing to empty the bins, which we as rate payers have paid to have done?

If parking charges have reduced the traffic in Hereford City Centre and cut congestion, surely that means the large majority of traffic is going into the City Centre and not around it. Why then does Hereford need a bypass? To me this seems to support what much better informed people than me have been saying elsewhere - that congestion is caused by lots of people trying to drive INTO Hereford not around it. If the parking charges mean that there is lower congestion, could the Council now support people getting into town by improving the road surfaces around Hereford for cyclists and having a few extra buses at peak times? Would need just a fraction of the £27million being spent on the Southern Link Road to do this things.

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that Hereford City Centre traffic seems to have decreased in the last couple of weeks? In particular Bath Street and Blueschool St in the afternoon rush hour (for me 5-5.30pm) seems to have alot less traffic than previously. Is it to do with Merton Meadow car park having hundreds fewer cars? I must admit it makes me feel alot safer on my bike with fewer cars. Also it has made cycling around town in weather like today even more enjoyable

Years ago when the Macarthy & Stone development at Friar Street at the old flour mill for the older peoples apartments was submitted for planning Herefordshire Council had tens of thousands of S106 money off the developers. I understand that this money was to make both Friar Street safer for older people and other pedestrians. The money was also paid to put a pedestrian crossing at road level across the A49 at Victoria Street, so that the many new residents would be able to walk safely in and out of the City centre. I think the existing underpass was considered unsuitable for the retired people to use, most probably because of the incline. I wonder why this never happened as there have been lots more planning approvals there since, all paying S106 to the Council so surely there should have been improvements into the City for pedestrians over the years since.

I understood that Hereford is not getting a "bypass" at all. The new road around Hereford to the West is apparently planned to go through the middle of some very large housing estates, particularly the big development at Three Elms where over 1,500 new houses are going to be built. If this "bypass" goes through new large housing estates similar to the developments at Belmont then all the roads into Hereford will just get even more congested. The "bypass" will not make any difference to all the local residents getting in and out of Hereford for shopping/health services/schools and colleges. Instead of waiting for Herefordshire Council to solve the problem (as you say they havent done this for 40 years) I am dusting down my old bike and asking my ward councillor to try and get the Council to improve bus services and safe walking and cycling routes. That way I can avoid some of the traffic lights (there arent any on the Great Western Way) and get around Hereford more quickly. Hoping to even lose weight in the process and feel less hot under the collar about sitting in traffic jams when I pop into town. I must admit this week I have enjoyed some very nice sunny days and heard lots of birds singing and it has made me feel alot happier than driving my car and sitting in traffic. Also it hasnt cost me a penny in car parking charges and no worries about a parking fine if I meet a friend for a coffee.