A PUBLIC meeting of local businesspeople unanimously backed the call from Hereford's MP for an eastern link road and second river crossing to be included in the council's Core Strategy.

The meeting was hosted by Kidwells Law Solicitors at their offices in Rotherwas. 

Some 50 owners and staff from Herefordshire businesses took part in a wide-ranging discussion of the merits of the proposed new road, its positive economic effects and its impact in reducing traffic in the centre of Hereford. 

A unanimous vote in favour of pressing Herefordshire Council to include the new road in the new Core Strategy was passed at the end of the meeting.

Speaking afterwards, Jesse Norman MP said: "There was huge strength of feeling in the room, and I am delighted to have secured the support of such a wide cross-section of the Herefordshire business community for this common-sense measure to improve the prosperity of our county."