A 'TRAVEL revolution' has been announced by Herefordshire’s ruling coalition as work begins to bring alternatives to road building into easing Hereford's traffic woes.

Announcing the funding for the Hereford Transport Strategy, Independent councillor John Harrington said it was ‘an exciting time’, citing commitment to partnerships with bus operators in Herefordshire; creating ‘exemplar’ walking and cycling routes and creating safe routes to schools.

Coun Harrington said: "The direction given by national government is to make modal shift and public transport a priority and support business needs whilst responding to the climate and ecological emergency."

RELATED NEWS:

The £1.24 million package will ensure that plans gather pace to provide a second river crossing to give Hereford ‘much needed resilience’.

Three new staff members have been recruited to push the strategy forward.

Funding for improvements to the bus service have already been secured through the National Bus Strategy.

"The Hereford Transport Strategy is a long-term, forward strategy and plan.

"We can’t do everything at once, but are able to deliver some elements very quickly, including tackling school run issues and developing enhanced partnerships with our bus operators," said Coun Harrington.

OTHER NEWS:

"The transport package would enable staff to improve travel for the whole of Herefordshire. This will include assessing the benefits of projects such as the parkway railway station at Pontrilas and community-led rural green way projects."

School transport features heavily in the plans and, alongside safe routes to school, proposals include school travel planning and potential support for schools to provide transport at cost to parents, and promote smart lift sharing.

Improving connectivity between the A465 and the A49 remains a coalition priority, and Coun Harrington said he looked forward to working with all members and all parties to provide the quickest and the best results for 21st century transport in Herefordshire.

"Times have changed since our last transport strategy was laid out, and we must all move with those times for a better environment and economy," he said.

Herefordshire Council is controlled by a political alliance of Herefordshire Independents, Greens and It's Our County members.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HEREFORD'S TRAVEL REVOLUTION?