Footpath and cycle route to be closed

As part of the Hereford (Belmont) Flood Scheme, the Hinton Road end of the Bishop's Meadow footpath and cycle route is to be closed for two months.

The closure, which takes effect from Monday, October 29, is needed so contractors Morrison Construction can build a bund and install the historic Jubilee Gates at the their new location in Hinton Road.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "Under the original plans for the scheme, it would have been possible to create a temporary path.

"However, the installation of the Jubilee Gates now needs a different form of construction involving steel sheet piles and reinforced concrete as well as the earth bunds originally envisaged.

"We did consider temporary alternative paths but the difference in gradient meant it was impossible because the earthworks needed would have impacted on trees in the area," he added.

The alternative cycle route between Victoria Bridge and Hinton Road will, instead, be via St Martins Avenue (the path leading to the Leisure Pool) and the link back to Hinton Road from the Leisure Pool which will both now have a route maintained through them throughout the works.

Morrison Construction are also looking at the possibility of signing a temporary route through the Leisure Pool car park to help those who would prefer to avoid using St Martins Street.

The riverside path to Putson will also remain open to pedestrians during these works.

Signs, but no barriers, will be posted at the Victoria Bridge end of the path warning about the closure of the route.

Morrison Construction said the footpath and cycle route will be re-opened as soon as they can before Christmas.