Cloudberry

Yes the Lugg Meadows are special, but it is like a mantra, that so many people who may have never looked at a map or actually been there, keep repeating that the Lugg Meadows are a barrier to any bridge or road on the east side of Hereford. There may still be ways to do this with minimal harm to the wildlife. There are equally special wildlife habitats all around Hereford, but they consistently get overlooked when plans are made. Many of these woods/meadows/ traditional orchards/hedgerows, etc. may not have any sort of official designation, but as there have been precious few new designations in the last 20 years anywhere in Herefordshire, this is not surprising. Resources have not been allocated to assess and monitor wildlife across Herefordshire on a consistent basis for many, many years. Council data is out-of-date and incomplete. Therefore, please don't assume there is nothing in the way of various plans for roads, houses, etc. without talking to some proper experts, and local people who note what they see.

Well done Hereford Visions for telling us what is happening to Jean and her husband, and how Southern Link road plans are being made by people who haven't got a clue. It seems that remote "consultants" do "desk-based" assessments as if they were playing a computer game, remember The Sims! They don't take the real features of the landscape and wildlife into account, or understand the real needs of local people. And the consultants and their masters don't ever have to take any responsibility for what happens as a result of such plans, do they?

Can you tell us how the Hereford Area Plan would affect Holmer? How many new houses, and how many of those affordable?

Maybe they thought they were leaving "wild flower" habitats? I'm all for promoting biodiversity in the right place, but not where some antisocial people walk with dogs or leave litter, - as the poo, crisp bags and drink cans just stay there caught up in the grass, and become more difficult to remove.

So while everyone is busy concentrating on other things like elections, this major Hereford-changing plan is being pushed forward? As others have said, this road could not be cost-effective, as all it does is to improve a little on the existing rat-run between the Abergavenny and Ross roads. And it would inevitably open up lots of new land for housing development, as part of all the "developer-led urban extensions" that have been mentioned in passing, plans to expand the boundaries and make Hereford city much bigger. Without support for cycling, etc., that means lots more people in lots more cars, all wanting to travel predominantly IN AND OUT of central Hereford for shops, work, hospital, cinema, etc. Surely all major plans like this should be put on hold until a new administration is in place? And don't forget, Jean has discovered she would lose her garden and trees, and presumably some other people who own land in the way of the route will be badly affected too.

I guess those coming from Aylestone who want to go north on the A49 can turn right into northbound Widemarsh St. and reach the A49 at Pizza Hut roundabout? So not being able to turn right into Edgar Street is only a problem if you have missed the Widemarsh St. turn? Otter resting place? How are the otters supposed to get there, and when they do, how will they know to lie down? The proposed canal basin (though probably not joined to other parts of the canal) keeps cropping up in various documents. Canal history is interesting, did you know this canal goes through a tunnel, but why is it a priority now? Who is going to pay for it? I would much rather there was a focus on things like repairing the Butter Market or features that really will draw tourists to Hereford.

Somehow the middle part of my previous post has disappeared! I was expecting to say that the new university website is a bit ambiguous. I am dubious about "inquiry-led learning" (surely not teach yourself?) and there being no Faculties or departments, just "teaching teams". Are they talking about on-the-job placements in engineering industry? If so, would that be in Hereford or would it have to be elsewhere? Can Hereford attract excellent teaching staff, or might some of them actually be elsewhere, with their teaching accessed online? I hope some of these questions are answered soon.

Although the "prestige" of a university would be good for Hereford, I share some doubts with others on this thread. The practicalities may not have been thought through. The new university website In Hereford we already have some students earning degrees at the College and also at the Bulmer Foundation, so we are not totally lacking in opportunities for our young people. I would not want them to think they were 2nd class behind a new university.

I went up to Belmont Abbey to see this bizarre piece of theatre. The Inspector must have a brain like a computer because she keeps hold of all she has read, and all the facts presented to her, with minimal notes, and asks searching questions of the Council reps. The Core Strategy plan is debated one policy at a time. For any topic related to housing half the reps around the table are developers, as this plan could affect numbers of houses and how fast they can get on with building. Others in the debate are mainly Councillors who care, and Here for Hereford. So, Greenknight and Megilleland your fears are confirmed. How do you like the idea of approx. 2000 new homes in the rural areas surrounding Hereford? We learn that the Council are working on a Hereford Area Plan, which will make Hereford larger than the existing city boundary. Despite many questions, so far they cannot/will not define the boundaries of this new Hereford. To find out more, see Here for Hereford and It’s Our County websites, Facebook and Twitter. In addition some of the debate has been flimed, see Hereford Visons Facebook page or directly on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obVJRJq-lFI&index=2&list=PLhXP9ESs4cle6fN45QX9i-QKyqXdGMQ_4 When the inspector is satisfied that all her questions have been answered she will take a couple of months to write a report and deliver her verdict on whether the Core Strategy is “sound†in whole or in part. The Hereford Times has not mentioned this critically important Examination in Public at all. Don't forget that in May voting for a change can make a huge difference. Even if the Core Strategy is approved, it is still just a plan and the new set of Councillors can choose not to follow it.

Debate? You think there is still a choice? Developer-led urban extensions translates to building new homes as fast as possible all round Hereford, without any regard to supporting services like sewers, hospital capacity, our special landscape, etc. I know Here for Hereford are doing a great job at this enquiry, please carry on getting the reality, the facts, in the open in front of the Inspector.

Excellent analysis Twowheels! If there is justice in this world the Inspector will listen to Here for Hereford. Don't be too disapointed Moley, there is a sense where this is about apples, as a lot of people would rather like to conserve the traditional orchards and not have houses built all over them!

It's really strange that it's not advertised, as it will affect what happens in and around Hereford for many years to come. The Inspector from London will ask questions and come to a decision on whether the plan is OK or not. But from what I can see in the docs on the website, the Assistant Inspector already has problems with the minerals and waste part of the plan. No reliable evidence base, something like that. "Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy 2011-2031 (the CS) Minerals and Waste (M&W) Preliminary Note 1. Having considered the M&W elements of the Plan and its supporting evidence, I have a number of fundamental concerns which, in the interests of the efficient running of the examination, I shall raise at this stage as preliminary matters."

Don't forget that before we get into elections there's the Examination in Public of the Council's big overall Core Strategy plan, 10-25 February at Belmont Abbey. The appointed Government Inspector, Christine Thorby has now read all the documents provided to her and has prepared a list of questions she would like answered. Some of those who made written comments and objections on the Core Strategy plan back in the summer will be attending the hearing and may be invited to provide further information and evidence. The outcome will be that the Inspector will find the Core Strategy Sound, or needing some amendments, or Unsound. Some of the Inspector's questions on the website https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/core-strategy/examination-of-the-herefordshire-local-plan-core-strategy include: Movement and Transport Policy SS4 18. What evidence is there that the movement and transport strategy would ensure the provision of viable infrastructure necessary to support sustainable development? 19. How will the strategy contribute to wider sustainability and health objectives? 20. What are the significant transport requirements which result from the scale of development planned or specific proposals in the Plan? How will they be delivered? 21. What measures have the Council undertaken to ensure that a Local Transport Plan will be in place post 2015? 22. Is there a risk to delivery of other objectives of the CS where major schemes are not part of a current Local Transport Plan? Hereford Relief Road 23. Have other options been considered as part of the sustainability appraisal? Why is this the preferred approach? 24. What is the justification for the relief road? 25. What is the Highway Agency’s view? 26. What is the likely cost of infrastructure of the relief road and link road? How will it be funded? Is this realistic and achievable? 27. Has transport modelling of all or sections of the relief road been undertaken? What is the timescale for delivery? These look like very good questions for the Inspector to ask!

On Thursday Councillors who make up Cabinet will meet to discuss the Southern Link Road Route SC2 again and dismiss all concerns and objections recently raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. They expect to award themselves planning permission in the Spring. Documents accompanying the Agenda http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=251&MId=5063&Ver=4 make it clear that the Cabinet Councillors stand by their assertions that this route linking the A465 and A49 is essential for the development of the Enterprise Zone and for reducing congestion in Hereford. But surely anyone can see that this road can only redistribute (not reduce) traffic before most of it passes into Hereford past ASDA as usual. The new housing developments that will accompany it can only add residents and therefore add to city centre congestion. And yet spending £25 million+ on this road is still seen as essential by Cabinet.

Very well done you Signers! Pass the Woodland Trust message on if you can

None of the routes proposed for the Southern Link Road can avoid ancient Grafton Wood because it is so close to the obvious exit going west from the A49, at the roundabout that was built specifically for the road to Rotherwas. The Council tell us they will plant new trees, etc. but they are missing the point. It is not just trees they will be damaging, it is the whole ecosystem. That includes all the insects and microscopic organisms that depend on one another and have built up their numbers over the centuries. Some of these don’t exist outside ancient woodland, and so they are very vulnerable to extinction. Once ancient woodland is removed it cannot be reinstated because it is very complex and takes centuries to develop. For these reasons the Woodland Trust currently have a national campaign to save ALL remaining ancient woodland, and we can all sign up to a message directly to David Cameron. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/campaigning/campaigns/protect-ancient-woodland/take-action/

Looking back at developments through 2014, as reported by Hereford Voice, Hereford Times, Here for Hereford, etc. it is looking like the people of Hereford are having less and less say on what happens in and around Hereford, and this Southern Link Road idea is currently the biggest example. If, (see Here for Hereford) the Highways Agency have NOT agreed that a Southern Link Road, (and western road bridge and Western Relief Road) is the answer to congestion or anything else in Hereford, why are the Cabinet still so intent on achieving it? The answer is that funding is being made available through the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). That’s the small group of business people and Council Leaders from Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. It follows that the main interests of the LEP are for business opportunities. So new road schemes and all the housing estates that have to be built with them are very good news for businesses, especially those with links to providing the construction or to landowners. In July in the thread about the Marches LEP, Megilleland asked if the Marches LEP would be the new Hereford Futures. Anyway, it seems that the actual usefulness of proposed new roads like the Southern Link Road comes a poor second to business opportunities. And preserving the exceptional beauty of our landscape, conserving our ancient woodland and wildlife, and building all over top grade agricultural land (likely to be needed for growing food in the unpredictable climate-changing world) - all come a long way down the list of considerations. (I’ll be there for a campaign, Greenknight!) Maybe today the Cabinet system will be challenged successfully, and things will begin to change. But at the moment there seem to be no barriers to the Council awarding itself planning permission. All these road and housing plans are part of the Council’s overall Core Strategy plan up to 2031 that will be examined, and possibly rubber-stamped by a government inspector in February.

AV - the Council reports from consultants Parsons Brinckerhof have been shown to be biased towards building the Southern Link Road along this route approved by Cabinet, through omitting some information. We now know about other facts that should apply to this decision, e.g. that Natural England show Grafton Wood as ancient woodland on their maps. Introducing facts previously not considered is not bias, it is just a wider range of information for making and justifying decisions. I have not yet seen details of any significant benefit to the Enterprise Zone, or any benefit to Herefordians, to support spending millions on this road. So what is the justification for carving up our heritage landscape?

If you read the pdf document currently provided by Bill Tanner on the Hereford Times website (I hope you can find it vai this link http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/11639874.Herefordshire_Council_s_southern_link_road_plan_is_sent_back_to_cabinet/ ), you may be as dismayed as I was to read how so many excellent and sensible questions about the validity and route of the Southern Link Road are being swept under the carpet. Yes, the questioned decision on the route is being sent back to Cabinet by the Overview and Scritiny Committee. But Cabinet will probably just thank everyone for their input and plough on regardless with a proper planning application and consent. There's so much good sense on Hereford Voice and elsewhere, but it's not being listened to. Big road schemes are always paired with big new housing developments. More homes = more people = more council tax. That's the only way such schemes can increase "prosperity". But these schemes will also increase congestion in central Hereford and increase pressure on many services including hospitals and welfare. I would much rather spend any available funding on tackling the welfare cuts that so many Herefordians are feeling the brunt of.

Great debate on this thread! I agree with John H about the priority of sorting transport options in central Hereford first, but Greenknight also makes a lot sensible points about HGVs. However, the current plan to fund relief roads and bridges seems to be through revenue from huge housing developments, and that would be self-defeating as all those extra people would only increase congestion and pressure on services in central Hereford. In addition Hereford does have lots of very special wildlife habitats all around it, really not found in other counties, and these deserve protection. Regional extinctions of some small beasties are real possibilities. It's easy to draw a line on a map for a proposed new road, but it's never that simple. I don't like the Old Market much, but do want it to be successful now we have it. I don't want it to go the way of some others. When Newbury got a new shopping centre it got a Debenhams, but that has since moved out to the Parkway, leaving Debenhams Outlet. That's the stuff that doesn't sell easily, but they hope the people of Newbury are strange shapes and like "unusual" colours. Keeping rents viable and car parking affordable will be critical for success in Hereford. Park and Ride sounds an attractive alternative, but it is hugely expensive to maintain, with buses probably needed every 15 minutes. Not good value while many villages don't have a proper bus service at all!

Sorry Dippy, I know nothing about roads round York! As regards the Lugg Meadows, everyone knows they are special because a local book was written about them. What many people don’t know is that older residents remember them being ploughed up to grow wartime potatoes. So although the site has a very long history it does look as if the wildlife seen today was restored after the war. There have been lots of studies around the Lugg Meadows, - it’s close to the Nature Trust headquarters after all. But there are many other potentially “exciting†sites in Herefordshire that have not yet been looked at in any detail. For example, how much is known about the woodland remaining from ancient Haywood Forest in the vicinity of the proposed Southern Link Road? Once you cut down ancient woodland, that’s it, gone, along with all the beasties etc. that depend on the special ecology of ancient trees.

Ah, Newbury, Greenknight, I know it well! Unfortunately that by-pass has not been the expected solution, and is no longer enough to prevent congestion in the centre of town. Just like here, the Newbury Today forum folk are desperate to try turning off traffic lights and making more safe cycleways. June 2014: “Newbury Council urge residents to bike, bus or walk to avoid congestion†- though they don’t seem that keen on actually spending on cycleways etc.! http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/travel-advisors-to-visit-5000-local-homes With wildlife, it’s true it can get better after road building because roadside verges are left alone, undisturbed. But you can’t generalise, because the ways biodiversity and how different species depend on one another are so complicated. In Herefordshire, there are a lot of unusual wildlife habitats that are very old, and once destroyed they really can’t be replaced.

From the Hereford Times: “The route selected - with a project name of SC2 – leaves the A49 to pass through the centre of Grafton Wood and continue westwards over Grafton Lane and Withy Brook before veering north-west to a proposed new roundabout near the A465/B4349 junction.†If other routes were discounted because they would go through ancient woods of Newton Coppice and Hayleasow Wood, why can the SC2 route through Grafton Wood be thought acceptable? Grafton Wood is also designated as ancient woodland.

The Rotherwas rail link sounds a great idea! Maybe there could be bicycle hire available at some stations? (And suitable cycle routes put in place.) Or in Hereford, what about a shuttle bus between the station and Hightown/Old Market? Then people would be more likely to leave their cars at home and use the train to come in to Hereford to shop or work?

Some Councillors who support a Southern Link Road need to wake up and check the full facts, rather than the stories they’ve been told. There is no evidence that a Southern Link Road is essential to overcoming “barriers to growth†at the Rotherwas Enterprise Zone. There is no evidence that a Southern Link Road could help traffic congestion in SouthWye, especially now the ideas for including cycleways etc. seem to have disappeared. You only have to glance at the map (and previous posts) to see how pointless this route would be. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have already been spent on consultants, but there is not even a cost-benefit analysis. What exactly would Herefordians get in return for spending all these £millions? Consultation does not seem to have been very thorough. No-one at the Cabinet meeting believed that English Heritage had not been consulted until Councillor Powers read out their letter. So there seem to be some serious flaws in the whole road proposal and the way it is being “fast-tracked†through to a planning application before Christmas. As others have pointed out, the main purpose of this road would be to open up development land for more housing. And the people in those new houses would all add to those already driving in to Hereford on the Belmont Road and Ross Road. Millions spent, and congestion in Hereford ten times worse. Even a new western bridge and western relief road wouldn’t help then, because that too would mean loads more houses. As TWG said, this approach hasn’t worked for Worcester, and it won’t work here either.