THE RECENT floods, with road chaos at Belmont roundabout and a heavy lorry breakdown on Greyfriars Bridge, demonstrates the sheer nonsense of the new suburb being proposed south of the river at Bullinghope.

The traffic survey commissioned by Herefordshire Council ruled out development to the south for this reason.

A year ago the council's planning committee held a special meeting to consider the route of the proposed Rotherwas access road. I addressed the committee, being than a Herefordshire councillor, and urged the rejection of the open country, former bypass route in favour of one hugging the railway line as recommended by the council's transport consultant.

My argument, that the outer route swinging to the south of Bullinghope would bring irresistible pressure or residential development, just as had happened at Ledbury, was ruled out of order!

Some 13 hectares is a small part of the total area of farmland enclosed by the proposed road. About 300 houses would become the precedent for the development of the rest. But still no plans for a second bridge.

GUY WOODFORD,

Acton Beauchamp.