By Bridie Adams

A ONE-way system in a Herefordshire border town has proven controversial, with one local raising concerns.

A stretch of Hereford Street in Presteigne, near the Powys border with Herefordshire, has been made one-way, with a no-entry sign in place at the street’s exit.

Frank Cosgrove, who lives on Hereford Street, said: “Eastbound traffic which cannot continue its journey can turn round in a car park, but HGVs or tractors with trailers turning in the car park could potentially give rise to danger to pedestrians and cars being parked. 

“I thought it was illegal for a road to be closed in such a way that traffic facing no-entry signs cannot continue by diverting along another public highway.”

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But the council has responded to these concerns, with a spokesperson telling the Hereford Times: “Hereford Street in Presteigne has been made one-way following a successful trial period and necessary consultations. It conforms to all appropriate regulations and highways standards.

“Prior to this change, Hereford Street has been, and still is, prohibited for any vehicle over 7.5t. Advanced warning of this restriction is made clear on signs before the one-way system.

“No large vehicles, such as HGVs, large tractors, lorries, or vehicles with trailers should be using this stretch of road.

“Hereford Street is not signposted as a route for through traffic to take. Signposts at the bottom of Station Road direct traffic towards the bypass. The changes to the road layout in Presteigne have improved safety for all – pedestrians using the new shared use path and road users.”

The one-way system on Hereford Street was installed for a trial period in September 2021 to help ease congestion and make it easier for pedestrians to access local shops. In March this year, following the success of the trial, Powys County Council opted to make the one-way system permanent.

“For a number of years, the local community have benefitted from many of the improvements made as part of an active travel scheme funded by the Welsh government,” said council cabinet member Jackie Charlton.

Regarding the use of no-entry signs in one-way systems, the government’s 2019 Traffic Signs Manual says: “There is no specific requirement to provide two signs. However, the traffic authority should take care to ensure that a single sign is clearly visible to road users and does not give rise to issues relating to enforcement. A pair of signs might be preferable”.