Council Moves to Prepare for Rotherwas Access Road

Herefordshire Council’s ongoing commitment to a Rotherwas Access Road has been reaffirmed this week with moves to enable the Council to acquire the land required to build the road.

This week the Council is to make a Compulsory Purchase Order, to enable it to acquire all the land necessary, and a Side Road Order, which states the route of the new road along with details of associated Public Rights of Way and the proposed arrangements in relation to nearby roads.

The decision to push ahead was made by Cabinet in May last year – it has taken this long to finalise the design and make sure all the legal processes have been followed correctly.

“We remain totally committed to this scheme and we’re publishing these orders at this time to ensure we meet our timetable to start work on site in 2006, subject to funding,” said Cllr Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation).

“If possible, we intend to acquire any land required by agreement. However, it’s vital that we ensure that the Council acquires all the land on which work is due to be carried out.

“To secure this, in case we can’t reach agreements with landowners by the required date, Council is proceeding to make the formal arrangements to compulsorily purchase land,” added Cllr Wilson.