THE best way of proving a controversial Hereford road was worth building is for the city’s businesses to prosper.

That’s the view of a member of the city’s business community at the official opening of the Rotherwas access road – a link she thought would never be built.

Debbie Gittoes, from Artic Circle, said: “Despite my previous lack of confidence that the road would ever be built, it is now open for business.

“It is up to us, the business community at Rotherwas, to demonstrate that not only was it essential for the prosperity of Rotherwas and the wider region, but that it was also money well spent.

“The best way to do this is for these businesses to prosper and increase their contribution to the local economy.”

The 2.2-mile road, which took 16 months to build, came into use at the end of June and on Monday, Nick Paul, chairman of Advantage West Midlands (AWM), officially declared the road open and unveiled a plaque.

“It solves the long-standing issue of restricted road access – and is an opportunity to change perceptions of Rotherwas by creating a quality business environment where companies are more likely to stay, invest and grow,” he said.

Councillor Brian Wilcox said the council had been delighted to work with AWM to create the road, which he believed would maintain Rotherwas as the premier location for businesses in Herefordshire.

The road is a single carriageway from the A49 (north of the Grafton Inn) to a new roundabout at the junction of Holme Lacy Road and Chapel Road.