To determine future actions regarding the Hereford Transport Package (HTP), which includes the Hereford bypass and associated active travel measures and South Wye Transport Package (SWTP), which includes the southern link road and local active travel measures comprising walking, cycling, bus and public realm improvements.

The original decision to pause and review the bypass and southern link road taken by the cabinet member for infrastructure and transport was taken on 9 August 2019. The decision was called in by General Scrutiny Committee. The decision was discussed at a meeting of the committee on 9 September 2019 and the committee came to the view that the decision should be referred back to the cabinet member to reconsider, giving regard to the matters set out in paragraph 34 below.

This report confirms the final decision having regard to the recommendations made by General Scrutiny Committee.

THAT:

a)    all work on the Southern Link Road be paused, a review of the project to determine next steps be undertaken, and work on the South Wye Transport Package active travel measures be continued;

b)    all work on the Hereford by-pass be paused, a review of the project to determine next steps be undertaken, and work on the Hereford Transport Package active travel measures be continued; and

c)    the acting director for economy and place be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to scope the review work for both road schemes within a budget of £50k (Southern Link Road) and £70k (Hereford By-pass) to inform a further decision in this calendar year.

1.      A number of possible options, and the implications of each, are presented within this report to enable the preferred options to be determined. These options are as follows:

·      Option A - Pause all work on the Southern Link Road, undertake a review of the project and evidence base to determine next steps and continue work on SWTP active travel measures

·      Option B - Pause all work on the Hereford Bypass, undertake a review of the project and evidence base to determine next steps and continue work on HTP active travel measures

·      Option C - Stop all work on the South Wye Transport Package

·      Option D - Stop all work on the Hereford Transport Package

·      Option E - Continue the delivery of the South Wye Transport Package

·      Option F - Continue the delivery of the Hereford Transport Package

These options have all been carefully considered together with the views of the ward members. Given the importance of the next steps to the current schemes which were developed under previous administrations, it is appropriate to pause and review to ensure that the right decisions are made for the future of Herefordshire.