OPPOSITION groups have criticised a leading Herefordshire councillor for announcing on national TV that the Hereford bypass has been cancelled before a vote on the issue takes place.

Cabinet member Ellie Chowns featured in a Green Party political broadcast last week in which she said her party is part of a three-way coalition that has cancelled a proposed bypass.

However, while council leaders agreed in December to drop the proposed western bypass and southern link road projects, the final decision will be made at a meeting of all county councillors later today (February 2).

Conservative leader Jonathan Lester said coun Chowns’ statement did not reflect the position of all councillors.

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“The Conservative group acknowledge that the coalition’s cabinet has decided that it wants the council to cancel the bypass,” he said.

“However, making a statement like this before the final decision is made does not respect the position of all of the elected councillors who have not yet had a chance to debate the issue.

“The debate on Tuesday will result in making one of the most important decisions in the history of the council.

“We want Herefordshire to be a prosperous place, where we can attract investment, provide the necessary infrastructure to help grow our economy, provide new homes and make room to ease congestion and introduce alternative travel measures.

“This is what we have planned all along and this is what we will continue to fight for.”

And Liberal Democrat group leader Terry James said he  had experienced a lot of anger from a lot of people over the statement.

“She’s treating the other groups in the administration as if they are fellow travellers,” he said.

Coun Chowns declined to comment on the issue before she speaks directly to colleagues in the meeting later today.