To seek approval to commence work to develop Hereford relief road (Hereford bypass) in support of proposals within the adopted Core Strategy in the context of the overall transport strategy for the city

The Hereford bypass is a key piece of infrastructure identified in the council’s LTP and forms an essential part of the Hereford transport package which is outlined in this strategy.  To enable the housing and employment growth objectives set out in the Core Strategy, the section of the bypass, connecting the southern link road with the junction of the A438, and the subsequent connection to the A49 trunk road must be in place by 2027.  Approval of the recommendations will enable work to proceed with the development of route options, environmental and transport surveys and consultation on route options.

An option for proceeding with the Hereford growth proposals without the provision of a bypass was considered and discounted during the Core Strategy process. The development proposed for Hereford in accordance with the spatial strategy would cause significant additional traffic congestion if there were no substantial improvements to the city’s transport infrastructure. Analysis of the impact of the no-road scenario against the proposed development options indicated a significant detrimental effect on the operation of Hereford’s highway network.

As such, there are no alternative options to the recommendations in this report. Hereford Bypass has been identified as necessary infrastructure in the adopted Local Transport Plan (2016-31) (”LTP”) and is required to enable the planned growth of Herefordshire in accordance with adopted Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy (2011-31) (“the Core Strategy”).

The rate of housing delivery and supply will be assessed through the annual monitoring process. If the delivery of the Hereford bypass is not prioritised to achieve the growth targets set out in the Core Strategy, housing delivery would have to be reviewed to consider alternative delivery arrangements.