Keetch Calls For Road Closure To Forest

12.00.00am GMT Fri 23rd Mar 2001

Hereford's Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch has called for a back road into the Forest of Dean to be closed on the Herefordshire/Gloucestershire border. Mr Keetch says that MAFF are dragging their feet on the issue.

"I know that local farmer Richard Vaughan wrote to MAFF two days ago and still they haven't come to a decision", said Mr Keetch who visited Mr Vaughan at Huntsham Court, Goodrich this morning. Mr Keetch futher said "There is an outbreak at Bicknor Court just a mile up the road from Huntsham Court and vehicles are travelling between the two. This road should be shut now."

Mr Vaughan has praised Herefordshire for being "very helpful" and he believes that Paul Keetch's intervention could bring about a decision from MAFF.