Local Transport Settlement

Herefordshire Council is extremely “dismayed and concerned” at the Department for Transport’s decision to reject its latest bid for the Rotherwas Access Road.

In an announcement made yesterday, Thursday, December 2, the DfT recognises the benefits of the scheme, but states that it does not see it as a priority.

However, the authority has vowed it will not be beaten and will continue its fight for the vital lifeline to Hereford’s Rotherwas Industrial Estate.

The bid for the £8.5 million access road was submitted during the summer and had the full backing and support of Herefordshire MP Paul Keetch.

The detailed submission included an Economic Impact Report, a robust risk analysis, changes to the design of the road and more detailed work carried out to look at transport benefits.

“We’re very disappointed and dismayed at the decision, particularly as we had been encouraged to put forward a more substantial submission and had been working closely with the DfT to ensure the submission met its requirements,” said Cllr Roger Phillips, Leader of the Council.

“We’re particularly saddened to find we’ve lost out to four large urban schemes in the West Midlands once again.

“These schemes – in Coventry, Wolverhampton, Warwickshire and Northfield – total £70 million and all fall within areas covered by Labour MPs.”

“This access road is crucial to unlocking the economic viability of the industrial estate. We don’t intend to give up and will continue our battle to make Whitehall see sense over this vital issue,” he added.

Cllr George Hyde, Cabinet Member (Economic Development, Markets and Property), said the road was essential to ensure the Rotherwas industrial estate maintained its status as the major home of Herefordshire’s businesses.

“I’m bitterly disappointed that once again an access road to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate has been turned down.

“I have to wonder what a small rural authority, without a Labour MP, has to do to get anything worthwhile to help our economy.”

Cllr Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation), said: “Despite the very disappointing information that, for yet another year, the Labour Government has not seen fit to give early agreement to support the bid for funds towards the Rotherwas Access Road, they have not yet slammed the door and hopefully we may be successful at the third attempt.”

However, Cllr Wilson was pleased with the recognition the DfT had given the Council for its Annual Progress Report (which sets out the authority’s local transport targets and achievements).

“It’s excellent news that the Authority has been classed as ‘above average’ on the basis of its Annual Performance Report. We have received additional funding for highways maintenance and, following lobbying from Herefordshire Council, the DfT has agreed that the Rural Bus Subsidy (worth £834,000 in 2005/06) should to continue for a further two years.

“This was due to end in 2006 and will mean the Council can continue to subsidise rural bus routes, which are essential in a rural county like Herefordshire,” he added.

“The other notable accolade is that we have been selected as one of 17 Local Transport Authorities (out of a total of 44) invited to apply to become a Centre of Excellence in Local Transport Delivery.

“This conveys the recognition that there exists in Herefordshire a pool of knowledge and expertise worth sharing with other authorities,” added Cllr Wilson.