A BUSY Hereford street will have roadworks for three months as cyclists and walkers get higher priority over cars.

Herefordshire Council said work is set to start on measures to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in St Owen Street, Hereford.

It hopes new raised crossings will make it easier for pedestrians to cross this wide street while slowing traffic.

The council's roads chief Coun John Harrington said a cycle contraflow, which is planned for the street, can cut journey times for cyclists compared to those travelling by car.

As such, the council said cyclists will soon find it much easier to reach the centre of Hereford from east of the city thanks to the new segregated cycleway - with the project expected to cost £700,000.

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It said new crossings will be placed in "convenient points" along the road addressing some of the difficulties experienced by shoppers crossing from one side of this wide historic street to the other.

There will also be new signalling at the junction with Bath Street, with work on the project due to start on August 30.

Between the footpath and road on the Town Hall side, the segregated cycleway will further develop the cycle network from the east, allowing cyclists to travel in both directions along St Owen Street with city-bound cyclists separated from pedestrians and motor vehicles.

The roadworks will around 12 weeks to complete, with road closures at various times which are yet to be confirmed.

In a letter to local residents and businesses, Balfour Beatty Living Places said it would be carrying out the work, and publish details of road closures nearer the time.

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Coun John Harrington, cabinet member infrastructure and transport, said: “The investment into existing, and the creation of new, active travel infrastructure such as cycling and walking paths and crossings is a vital part of making Hereford a modern, easily accessed city for all.

"We are especially keen to encourage more local cycling and walking on decent segregated paths for those that can and wish to cycle and walk, which reduces unnecessary short car journeys, reduces pollution and congestion and frees up space on the network for those that must use their car.

"This investment will support businesses with measures that will promote the economic success of the city. Contraflows can decrease journey times for cyclists compared to those travelling by car by providing more direct, safer, travel routes.”

Construction of the new pedestrian crossings and segregated cycleway is being funded through the government’s Get Building Fund, administered by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, and is due to start on 30 August.

The improvements are expected to take around 12 weeks to complete with diversions in place for motorists while construction work is underway.

There will be controlled access for deliveries with alternative arrangements available for buses while the work takes place. Pedestrians will continue to have access as normal.