Slipway cleared on Quay Street for easy access to River Wye

The new emergency route to the Wye is accessed via Quay Street and will be a quicker and easier way for water rescue teams to deploy their boat onto the river.

Businesses in Hereford have worked together to clear the route after Councillor Jim Kenyon kickstarted the scheme during his mayoral year.

Adrian Morris, watch commander at Hereford Fire Station, praised the work of volunteers who had put in so much hard work at no expense to the tax-payer.

He said: "The water rescue team working out of Hereford is limited on launch sites for the rescue boat. We use the rowing club and we have one other private slipway but this gives us a second option in town. We can reverse the boat down which means it's quick to deploy the boat.

"We cannot launch at the rowing club when the river is in flood and get under the old bridge so this is downstream of the old bridge and close to the fire station as well."

The boat is deployed around three times a month, he said, and can be to rescue both people and animals from the river.

There are hopes that more slipways can be opened up at other points on the river in Hereford.

Councillor Jim Kenyon, whose grandfather drowned in the river in 1969, thanked all those who had been involved with the clearance.

These included Eagle Plant, Roger Sweetman, Tudors, Wye Bridge Motors and a chainsaw operator.

He said: "These projects are made possible with the support of people in the community and businesses coming together. So thanks to all those who made it happen."