Crash and near miss fears on A44 between Bromyard and Leominster

Noakes Farm Riding Centre, based off the A44 near Bromyard, said it was concerned over the speed of vehicles heading towards Leominster.

Bredenbury Group Parish Council minutes from August 31's meeting said Mr and Mrs D Barrett of Noakes Farm said those vehicles did not heed the corners or the access to their farm.

"The drive, accessed from the A44, is to a popular business and several residential properties," minutes said.

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Statistics from crashmap.co.uk show there have been two serious crashes on the road between Green Lane and the turning for Munderfield Harold between 2012 and 2021.

That is on top of three "slight" crashes, with near misses not reported.

Between Bromyard and Bredenbury, a motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a bin lorry earlier this year, and Susan Penelope Legge was killed in a three-car crash.

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There is no suggestion that speed was a factor in any of the crashes.

The riding centre raised concerns over the number of crashes and near misses and said the most recent saw a vehicle written off having been hit from behind as the vehicle was waiting to turn.

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Minutes said there were no major injuries but the passenger, who was arriving to attend a riding session, was very distressed.

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After discussion, it was agreed that the height of the hedge on the opposite side of the road impedes visibility, making it difficult to see stationary traffic waiting to turn into Noakes.

Ward councillor John Harrington, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for roads, agreed to contact the owners of the land, Herefordshire Nature Trust, on behalf of the council regarding riparian responsibilities – the duties expected of landowners.

PCSO Sue Berrett, from West Mercia Police, also agreed to contact traffic manager advisor Ian Connolly.