A BUSINESS owner says she was horrified when a scarcely used road leading to just one holiday cottage was resurfaced at a cost of £27,000.

Sarah Bell, of Sunnybank Vine Nursery in the Golden Valley, had been pushing for Prill Road in Ewyas Harold to be resurfaced, with potholes plaguing the busy route.

But despite her ongoing discussions with ward councillor Peter Jinman, she was shocked to find nearby Hill Road ­– a dead end lane – in Rowlestone was resurfaced by Herefordshire Council instead.

Hereford Times: The resurfaced road ends at a driveway to one holiday home and a public bridleway. Picture: Rob Davies The resurfaced road ends at a driveway to one holiday home and a public bridleway. Picture: Rob Davies

Mrs Bell said the road only went to a single house, a holiday cottage, and hit out at the council for appearing to prioritise the 500-metre lane over one of the main routes into Ewyas Harold.

She said: "How can what almost amounts to a private drive be considered a priority over a stretch of road that directly services about 20 houses who rely on Prill Road for access to the village, and serves as a through road to Walterstone, Rowlestone and beyond, carrying a lot of heavy farm traffic?"

Hereford Times: Sarah Bell shows the potholes along Prill Road in Ewyas Harold, which she says should be a priority. Picture: Rob Davies Sarah Bell shows the potholes along Prill Road in Ewyas Harold, which she says should be a priority. Picture: Rob Davies

A freedom of information request revealed the cost of the work to the lane was £27,807.83, but the council said it was needed as the road was damaged during Storm Bella in December 2020.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Following considerable storm damage, Hill Road, Rowlestone had deteriorated to the point that the highway had collapsed in several places and was no longer safe.

"The road was therefore closed and works completed as a priority.

"Prill Road has been put forward for surfacing and will be considered in line with our highways maintenance plan.”