To consider feedback to HTP Phase 1 consultation and confirm scope of Phase 2 consultation and progress to consultation.

The cabinet member for infrastructure introduced the report. The key drivers for the Hereford Transport Package (HTP) were the appetite locally and nationally to improve connectivity, facilitate housing growth and create better walking and cycling routes. The single crossing of the River Wye in the city impacted on journey times and restricted business growth. The proposed improvements would benefit major projects such as the university and the enterprise zone. Moving traffic out of the city centre would create space for green infrastructure and active travel measures. The HTP was a priority for the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Midlands Connect regional strategy. The council was working closely with Highways England and other national bodies. Extensive work had taken place to refine the route of the proposed bypass to the west of Hereford. All options had been scored, compared and subjected to national planning policies. Routes which would not be technically viable had been removed. A shortlist of seven routes was now proposed for further consultation.

In response to a questions from cabinet members it was confirmed that there was an appetite to see what complementary transport measures could be delivered alongside the construction of the bypass. Proposals in respect of active travel measures would be presented during the phase 2 consultation.

In response to questions from the leader of the Its Our County group it was stated that:

·         data and mapping from the adopted neighbourhood development plan would be incorporated into the forthcoming consultation, along with other sources;

·         detailed ecological surveys had been carried out, would continue through the seasons and would inform the planning application environment statement;

·         all responses to the consultation had been considered, regardless of whether they were defined as individual responses or petitions;

·         further detailed responses would be provided following the meeting.

In response to questions from the leader of the Green group it was stated that:

·         current and projected journey times would be included in future consultation information;

·         the decision whether to designate the bypass as a trunk road and de-trunk the current A49 through the city would be made by the secretary of state, discussions were taking place regarding this process and Highways England were positive about the likelihood of the bypass becoming the new trunk road.

The leader of the independent group gave the views of his group, stating that:

·         council officers had frequently said that the bulk of traffic would still go through the city centre;

·         the bypass would be exposed to high westerly winds;

·         local growth had stagnated and the council had failed to listen to feedback;

·         the independent group had always supported a bypass to the east of Hereford and did not believe that an eastern route was undeliverable;

·         there was a strong possibility of the Three Elms housing site not getting permission due to the impact on boreholes in the area and the subsequent difficulties this would cause on certain large employers in the city.

The cabinet member infrastructure responded that the eastern route for a bypass was not a viable alternative and that the enterprise zone was booming. The cabinet member economy and communications stated that unemployment in Herefordshire was at an historic low and that the enterprise zone had been highly successful. The leader of the council acknowledged that many businesses did not have a particular preference on an eastern or western route but did want a bypass delivered. The professional evidence had been considered and a western route had been selected on the basis of that evidence.

That:

(a)  having regard to the feedback to the HTP Phase 1 consultation report and the Hereford Bypass corridor assessment framework report the shortlist of route corridors shown in paragraph 25 below be approved;

(b)  Phase 2 consultation on the approved shortlist of bypass route options and possible active travel measures be undertaken to gather feedback to inform the selection of a preferred route for the bypass and to enable the preferred package of measures to be further developed and

(c)  the assistant director environment and place be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to inform a decision to determine a preferred route for the bypass and a package of active travel measures within a maximum budget of £1m.