The improvements build on the council’s Safer School Streets programme, creating safer routes to schools and making it easier for children and families to walk, wheel and cycle.

Work will take place in Lugwardine, Bartestree, Hunderton and Belmont, with schemes focused on improving routes around communities, schools and key pedestrian areas.

The programme is being delivered during the summer holiday period to help minimise disruption, particularly around schools, while allowing important improvements to be completed ahead of the new academic year.

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

“Making our roads and walking routes safer is a priority, particularly around schools and areas where people regularly walk and cycle.

“These schemes will improve facilities for residents, pupils and visitors, helping people to travel more safely and confidently around their local communities.

“We know that roadworks can cause some temporary disruption, but by carrying out these improvements during the summer holidays we can help reduce the impact while delivering important long-term benefits.”

Lugwardine and Bartestree

The Lugwardine Traffic Calming Scheme will introduce a range of measures along the A438 corridor to help encourage safer speeds and improve pedestrian facilities for residents, businesses and visitors.

The improvements include:

• Traffic calming measures along the A438
• New village gateway features
• Speed management signage and Speed Indicator Device infrastructure
• Road marking improvements
• New and improved pedestrian crossing facilities
• Improvements around Lugwardine Village Hall and Lugwardine Primary Academy
• Footway widening and accessibility improvements
•  Drainage and associated highway works

Hunderton and Belmont

The Riverside School Route Improvements scheme will enhance walking routes and crossing facilities in Hunderton and Belmont, helping to improve accessibility for pupils, residents and other road users.

The improvements include:

Hunderton Avenue

• A new road narrowing to slow traffic and improve safety
• A raised table pedestrian crossing
• New road marking and highway improvements

Belmont Avenue/Springfield Avenue

• Improved pedestrian crossing facilities
• New tactile paving and kerb improvements

Belmont Avenue/Belmont Close

• Vegetation clearance to restore footway width
• Improvements to the existing shared pedestrian and cycle route

Ahead of works beginning, Herefordshire Council has been working closely with local communities, schools and other stakeholders to share information about the improvements, expected timescales and any potential impacts.

Direct communication has taken place with those most affected, with updates continuing to be provided as the schemes progress.

During construction, residents and road users may experience temporary traffic management measures, short-term footway diversions, construction activity and localised noise during normal working hours.

Access to homes, businesses and community facilities will be maintained wherever possible, and advance notice will be provided where any temporary restrictions are required.

Councillor Price added:

“We understand that any roadworks can cause inconvenience, and we are grateful to residents, businesses and schools for their patience while these improvements are delivered.

“These schemes will leave a positive legacy by creating safer and more accessible routes for people travelling around their communities.”

These schemes form part of the wider Improving Transport in Hereford programme of works. The programme is supported by a £19,990,000 investment from the UK Government to deliver a package of transport and travel improvements in and around Hereford city, alongside investment from Herefordshire Council.

Updates on the individual schemes will be shared as work progresses through Herefordshire Council’s website and social media channels.