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A new bid to secure the Rotherwas Access Road represents the county’s “best chance ever” of securing the vital lifeline to the industrial estate.
The new access road to Hereford’s Rotherwas Industrial Estate could bring up to 1,000 new jobs, vastly improve access to the estate and improve the quality of life for the many families living along, as well as the safety of cyclists using, Holme Lacy Road, the current access route.
These facts – along with a host of details - are included in a new submission Herefordshire Council is to present to the Department for Transport urging it to give the plans for the new road to the industrial park the green light.
The access road, which will cost around £8.5 million – of which £5.17 million is the subject of this submission - will bring a raft of benefits to the City, including shorter journey times to Rotherwas, reduced traffic on Holme Lacy Road and the promise of up to 1,000 new jobs as companies are enticed to relocate.
“This is the most detailed submission yet,” said Cllr Roger Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council.
“While we didn’t get approval based on last year’s submission to the DfT, they asked for clarification and more details – which is exactly what we’re giving them in this submission.
“The access road is the key to unlocking the ongoing economic viability of the Rotherwas Industrial Estate and we’ve now put together our strongest possible bid,” he added.
New details included in the new submission include:
· An Economic Impact Report which identifies the precise figures for job prospects
· A more robust risk analysis
· Changes to the design of the road
· More detailed work carried out to look at transport benefits
Hereford MP Paul Keetch, who is also firmly behind the bid, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for Government to invest in not only the economic future of the City and county of Herefordshire, but also to provide congestion relief to those living in Holme Lacy Road and South Wye generally.
“We are talking here about an access road to the industrial estate - for this estate, the most important one in Herefordshire, to prosper it needs a decent access. I hope that the Council bid will therefore succeed."
Cllr George Hyde, Cabinet Member (Economic Development, Markets and Property), said the access road was vital to ensure the Rotherwas industrial estate maintained its status as the major home of Herefordshire’s businesses.
more follows
“Rotherwas is at the centre of the County’s industrial and commercial heartland. As an authority we have a duty to ensure it prospers and grows to the benefit of existing businesses as well as those we hope to attract in the future.
“With the prospect of up to 1,000 new jobs as well as the potential to develop 100 acres of brownfield site, we hope the Department for Transport make the right decision and grant us approval to move ahead with this vital initiative.”
Cllr Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation), said: “Any businessman will tell you that efficient transport links are vital to help them survive.
“We need to give our local businesses the competitive edge and we know this new road is desperately needed.
“Not only will the road aid businesses, it will allow us to implement traffic calming on Holme Lacy Road, improving the quality of life for the residents, providing a more friendly atmosphere for cyclists and pedestrians,” he added.
Funding for the new road will come from a number of sources – Central Government, Europe and from Herefordshire Council.
The proposed funding package is as follows (figures in £millions)
Major scheme bid (this submission) 5.17 54%
Local Transport Plan block funds 2.44 25%
Council contribution 1.82 19%
ERDF Objective 2 (European) 0.17 2%
* Total 9.6
The Council is already proceeding with ensuring it owns all the land needed for the new road and, if the DfT grant approval, workmen could be on the site next year and the road could be in use by 2007.
NEW ROTHERWAS ACCESS ROAD SUBMISSION
A new bid to secure the Rotherwas Access Road represents the county’s “best chance ever” of securing the vital lifeline to the industrial estate.
The new access road to Hereford’s Rotherwas Industrial Estate could bring up to 1,000 new jobs, vastly improve access to the estate and improve the quality of life for the many families living along, as well as the safety of cyclists using, Holme Lacy Road, the current access route.
These facts – along with a host of details - are included in a new submission Herefordshire Council is to present to the Department for Transport urging it to give the plans for the new road to the industrial park the green light.
The access road, which will cost around £8.5 million – of which £5.17 million is the subject of this submission - will bring a raft of benefits to the City, including shorter journey times to Rotherwas, reduced traffic on Holme Lacy Road and the promise of up to 1,000 new jobs as companies are enticed to relocate.
“This is the most detailed submission yet,” said Cllr Roger Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council.
“While we didn’t get approval based on last year’s submission to the DfT, they asked for clarification and more details – which is exactly what we’re giving them in this submission.
“The access road is the key to unlocking the ongoing economic viability of the Rotherwas Industrial Estate and we’ve now put together our strongest possible bid,” he added.
New details included in the new submission include:
· An Economic Impact Report which identifies the precise figures for job prospects
· A more robust risk analysis
· Changes to the design of the road
· More detailed work carried out to look at transport benefits
Hereford MP Paul Keetch, who is also firmly behind the bid, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for Government to invest in not only the economic future of the City and county of Herefordshire, but also to provide congestion relief to those living in Holme Lacy Road and South Wye generally.
“We are talking here about an access road to the industrial estate - for this estate, the most important one in Herefordshire, to prosper it needs a decent access. I hope that the Council bid will therefore succeed."
Cllr George Hyde, Cabinet Member (Economic Development, Markets and Property), said the access road was vital to ensure the Rotherwas industrial estate maintained its status as the major home of Herefordshire’s businesses.
more follows
“Rotherwas is at the centre of the County’s industrial and commercial heartland. As an authority we have a duty to ensure it prospers and grows to the benefit of existing businesses as well as those we hope to attract in the future.
“With the prospect of up to 1,000 new jobs as well as the potential to develop 100 acres of brownfield site, we hope the Department for Transport make the right decision and grant us approval to move ahead with this vital initiative.”
Cllr Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation), said: “Any businessman will tell you that efficient transport links are vital to help them survive.
“We need to give our local businesses the competitive edge and we know this new road is desperately needed.
“Not only will the road aid businesses, it will allow us to implement traffic calming on Holme Lacy Road, improving the quality of life for the residents, providing a more friendly atmosphere for cyclists and pedestrians,” he added.
Funding for the new road will come from a number of sources – Central Government, Europe and from Herefordshire Council.
The proposed funding package is as follows (figures in £millions)
Major scheme bid (this submission) 5.17 54%
Local Transport Plan block funds 2.44 25%
Council contribution 1.82 19%
ERDF Objective 2 (European) 0.17 2%
* Total 9.6
The Council is already proceeding with ensuring it owns all the land needed for the new road and, if the DfT grant approval, workmen could be on the site next year and the road could be in use by 2007.