THE speed limit on a major road in Hereford is set to be cut from 60mph to just 20mph for three months, Herefordshire Council has said.

It comes as repair work to the Brecon road, which has been partially closed for more than two years, is due to start.

When Storm Dennis hit the county in February 2020, at least 71 roads were left in dire need of repair.

That included the B4224 Fownhope Road near Hereford, which was closed for 13 months after part of it collapsed. 

And the A438, which runs from Hereford towards Brecon, has been down to one lane near Whitney-on-Wye since the storm.

There are two-way traffic lights near the toll bridge over the river Wye as the road has deteriorated, but the a temporary 20mph speed limit for emergency landslip works will start on August 15.

A public notice said that the A438 would have the temporary speed limit for three months due to the works and the likelihood of danger of the public.

The council's corporate director for economy and environment Ross Cook said Owen Pell Ltd, based in Rotherwas, was the successful tenderer for the Whitney-on-Wye flood damage repair work project.

He said the tender price for the works was £187,100.94.

He said the work needed to be done as the council had a duty to maintain roads and if work was not done, the "connectivity and prosperity" of the local area and across the county bordering into Wales will be affected.

"If the deterioration accelerates, there may be a need to close the road," he said in a decision document.

"The site has deteriorated since the initial failure, further failure may continue if works to correct are not progressed.

"There is a risk of further failure which will have a negative impact on the locality with extensive diversions and accessibility to services restricted."