The South Wye Transport Package, which includes the southern link road, aims to promote economic development by enabling easier access to the Hereford Enterprise Zone, reduce traffic issues experienced by local residents and promote walking and cycling as an alternative to driving in the south wye area. The scheme forms part of the councils Local Plan Core Strategy, Local Transport Plan, Economic Masterplan and Corporate Plan.

In December 2014 cabinet selected a preferred route for the SLR and authorised the development of the scheme for planning. A planning application for the scheme was submitted in May 2015 and planning permission was granted on 18 July 2016. Cabinet authorised making of the CPO & SRO in October 2017 and these orders were made in March 2018. A Public Inquiry into these orders was held in October / November 2018 and these orders were confirmed in March 2019 by the Secretary of State for Transport.

In order to protect the council’s planning consent it is necessary to commence implementation of minor works to secure the planning permission before 18 July 2019. These works comprise fencing, topsoiling, excavation and placing of subbase material as detailed on the plan appended to this record of officer decision. The scope of works have been agreed with the Local Planning Authority as sufficient to enact the planning permission for the scheme.

The above works are expected to cost £60,000 and would be commissioned through the public realm contract and funded from the 2019/20 Local Transport Plan allocation. This expenditure would be funded through a virement from LTP grant in accordance with financial procedure rules.

Preserving the planning consent ensures that options remain open to the Council pending further consideration of the overall transport package. Those options would be to continue with progression of the scheme, pause and review the scheme, or cancel it.