Back the bypass
Hereford Bypass
The long-awaited Hereford Bypass is far more than just a road. It will
- Unblock - Remove up to 50% of peak-time through-traffic from the A49 city centre.
- Unlock - Open up 150 hectares of employment land to the west of the city.
- Unleash - Enable regeneration of Hereford city.
- £40–£60m lost annually in productivity
- Up to 50% traffic reduction on A49
- 150 hectares of employment land unlocked
- 14,000 new homes enabled
- 10,000 jobs created
The challenge
- Herefordshire Is Being Held Back
- Inward investment is being turned away at the door
- Lost productivity costing millions annually
- North–South journeys through the city already take up to twice as long as they should
- Freight is being forced through residential streets and the city centre
The consequences
Without action, Herefordshire faces a potential future of deepening congestion, stalled growth and lost opportunity.
- Continued economic exodus
- Planned growth is stalling
- Worsening congestion until gridlock
- Young people and talent leave in greater numbers
- The two sides of Hereford remain divided
The economic case
- 10k New Jobs
- 14k New homes
- 150 hectares employment land
- Encourage people to stay, live and work
Early benefits
- Time Saved - 6.5 minute journey-time savings between A465 and Enterprise Zone.
- Traffic Reduction - Up to 20% reduction on the A465; fewer vehicles in residential areas.
- Economic Return - Generates between £1.80 and £2.50 in benefits for every £1 spent.
Protecting communities landscape and wildlife
We are committed to managing construction in an environmentally responsible way, ensuring Herefordshire's natural beauty is preserved for generations.
- Biodiversity Net Gain - Aiming for >15% net gain, creating new habitat corridors and strengthening ecological networks
- Carbon Management - Best practice low-carbon and recycled materials, minimising waste and strict pollution controls. Implementing low-impact routing.
- Landscape Integration - Earthworks, screening and bridges meticulously designed to respect local character and cherish the historic Wye Valley views.
Strategic fit
- Landscape‑sensitive design
- Heritage protection & archaeological surveys
- Low‑carbon construction measures
- Cleaner air, quieter streets, safer cycling/walking
Funding the bypass
- Phase one is already fully funded by Herefordshire Council through a capital allocation of £45 million
- Start on site scheduled for December 2026
