We the undersigned all own or manage businesses in and around Hereford.

We believe passionately in the future of Herefordshire, and in the potential for this county to become a thriving hub of economic activity for national and international companies. We show that belief every day in our decisions to invest and employ people in our own businesses here.

But this economic growth requires proper investment in our road infrastructure, and in particular it demands an Eastern Link Road and a second river crossing to the east of Hereford.

Some very significant sums of money have been spent to get the Enterprise Zone "shovel ready", and this road has been rightly described by the EZ board as "essential" to the future development of the zone. As Herefordshire Council has noted, it would cost just £20 million, would open up access to the Rotherwas, Thorn and Whitestone estates, and could reduce traffic on Edgar Street by 20-30 per cent. It could be implemented relatively quickly, giving a real mediumterm boost to the local economy and providing Rotherwas with the long term improvements and sustainability which are so important to the future of Herefordshire.

We hereby call upon Herefordshire Council to include the Eastern Link Road and river crossing in its Core Strategy, and to start preparatory work as soon as possible on its implementation. It will make a massive difference to our businesses, and to the longterm prosperity of our county.

Tomas Alexa, T BARS; Lydia Alexova, The Haywain; Dave and Tracey Allison, Octaga; Peter Amor, Wye Valley; Brewery, Nick Barrow, Tomhead Ltd; Jeff Bayliss, Werecon Engineering; Ken Bayliss, Wye Cylinders; Alan Bishop, Bishop and Smit;, Ian Brown, I & JL Brown; Callum and Jeremy Bulmer, Raw Striker Cars; Steve Cheetham, PK Engineering; Simon Children, TRP Sealing Phil Collins, Collins Design and Build; Jon Cook, Flint and Cook; Mel Coppock, Halcyon; Ben Corner, West Mercia Air Conditioning; David Cross, Acorn Developments; Kevin Daw, Greenapple Sludge; Steve Evans, A4 Office Supplies; Richard Garnett, Eziserv; Jim Gillespie, CG Refrigeration; Deborah Gittoes, Arctic Circle; Phil Glover, A&P Carpentry; Colin Gordon, QualitySolicitors; Gordon Lutton Nick Handoll, Hereford Osteopathy Centre; Glenn Haughton, Halco Europe; Paul Hodgson, Cross and James; Mike Horne, Kidwells; Eddie Hunt, Eddie Hunt Consultancy; John Jones, Philip Morris & Son; Steven Knight, Daisy Properties; Simon Lively, Quick Skip Recycling; Bill Main, Belmont Veterinary Centre; Paul Matthews, Bartonsham Dairies; Richard Morgan, Harrison Clark; Derek Moore, PDH Hereford; Paul Morris, Jackson Property; Shane Powell, South Hereford Garages; Dave Preedy, Express Bathrooms; Jane Preston, Riverside Training; Edward Pritchard, Pritchards Menswear; Billy Reynolds, Play; Charles Richards, South Hereford Garages; Caroline Rixon, Trackfit Engineering Services; Elwyn Roberts, Wye Valley Engineering; David Snow, Impact Print; Rob Symonds, Area Entertainments Hereford; Garry Thomas, RRA Architects; Steven Thomas, Watkins Thomas; Kevin Virgo, B&G Holdings; Robert, Karen and Ed Watkins, Messrs RKF Watkins; Laura Yarwood, Lakeview Nursery.