The scheme is designed to make journeys safer, smoother and more reliable for everyone using the route, whether they are travelling by car, bus, walking, wheeling or cycling. It will also support long-term growth in the south of Hereford, connecting homes with the city centre, major employment sites and business parks.

Once Phases 1 and 2 are complete, they will form part of a wider programme of improvements along the route. Work on the full scheme is expected to continue through to winter 2027.

The work includes full resurfacing of the road between Oak Crescent and Thorn Business Park, new high-friction surfacing to help vehicles stop more safely, and traffic calming measures including raised crossings and changes to junctions designed to help slow traffic.

A new traffic light junction at Holme Lacy Road, Chestnut Drive and Hoarwithy Road will help manage traffic more effectively. Drainage improvements are also being made along the route, including near the railway bridge, where flooding has caused problems in the past.

The railway bridge is one of the most challenging parts of the scheme because it is low, narrow and vulnerable to flooding. Improvements here include traffic lights to allow one direction of traffic through at a time, better provision for people walking and cycling, and improved drainage to help water clear more quickly.

While flooding cannot be completely prevented during very heavy rainfall, the changes are designed to reduce disruption and help the road reopen more quickly.

The scheme has been designed using traffic modelling carried out over the past two years. The aim is not to reduce the number of vehicles using Holme Lacy Road, but to improve traffic flow at key points, reduce congestion and improve safety and air quality.

See how the finished route will look 

A new fly-through video of the Holme Lacy Road scheme is now available on the council’s website, giving residents and road users a better idea of how the route will look and work when the improvements are complete.

The video shows the planned changes along the route, including the new junction arrangements, traffic calming measures, walking and cycling provision and improvements around the railway bridge. Watch the video here: 

 

 

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Philip Price, said:

 

“This is a major investment in one of our most important roads, and we know that getting the work done will cause disruption for residents, businesses and road users.

“We are now seeing the first parts of the scheme taking shape, and the new fly-through gives people a much better idea of what the completed route will look like.

“When the work is finished, the improvements will make journeys safer and more reliable for everyone, whether they are driving, walking, cycling or using public transport.

“The scheme will also help traffic move more smoothly, improve safety at key points and support jobs and growth in this part of Hereford.”

The scheme links with wider transport improvements across the city, including walking and cycling routes, and will work alongside Phase 1 of the Hereford Bypass, which is expected to reduce pressure on parts of the road network once complete.

The Council would like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their continued patience while the work is carried out and will continue to provide updates as the scheme progresses.

Find out more about the Holme Lacy Road scheme on the Council's website.