A heated debate has erupted over Herefordshire Council's ambitious plans for a £40 million bypass project, with residents and councillors questioning the transparency and timing of the proposal. The transport boss, Councillor Philip Price, found himself under scrutiny during a cabinet meeting, where the council aimed to approve the acquisition of approximately 30 hectares of land for the bypass's first phase.
But here's where it gets controversial: the public is concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding the plan. Resident Jim Hardy challenged Price, asking why the proposal had not been made public, especially considering the council's reference to "further modelling" and the need for a "statement of reasons" for pursuing a compulsory purchase order (CPO).
And this is the part most people miss: the council's response to these concerns. Price stated that the plan would be published "in due course," leaving many wondering why the delay.
City councillor Jeremy Milln, who attended the meeting, revealed that Price had previously indicated that environmental impact studies and a full business case review would be available "later this year." However, in a written response before the meeting, Price contradicted himself, stating that these would be provided "next year." Milln called Price out on this discrepancy, labeling his previous response as "untruthful," and demanded clarification or the immediate release of the business case and studies.
Price's reply was evasive, promising a written answer but offering no concrete timeline. He also addressed resident Emil Morfett's concerns about biodiversity net gain, assuring that the council had allocated a budget for it.
Another resident, Tracey Bowes, highlighted the bypass's potential to improve access to a proposed 540-home development by Bloor Homes. However, she questioned why the council had not secured funding from this developer or others to contribute to the bypass's costs.
Price acknowledged the complexity of the issue and promised a written response.
So, the big question remains: Why the secrecy and delays? With residents and councillors demanding answers, the controversy surrounding Herefordshire's bypass plan is far from over. What do you think? Should the council be more transparent, or is there a valid reason for keeping certain details under wraps? Let's discuss in the comments!
