KEETCH "DESPAIRS" AT COUNCIL'S ROTHERWAS FAILURE

11.47.01am GMT Tue 11th Jul 2006

Hereford MP, Paul Keetch says he "despairs" at Herefordshire Council's failure once again to get Government funding for the Rotherwas Access Road. The news comes as Mr Keetch met members of the Herefordshire Chamber of Commerce in the City. He has called on the Council to make the access road and a new bridge across the River Wye its number one priority.

The MP also warned again that funding for the flood defence scheme would be "further at risk" if the Council did not get planning approval through quickly.

"This is disastrous news for Hereford", said Mr Keetch. "I despair of this Council. They were told by the Government that they had to make a business case for the road and they have failed again. They have now been told to look for alternative funding - this they must do immediately.

"We all know that the housing development at Bullinghope could help fund the road, and possibly with the Council, fund a new bridge too. However, it is clear the Council will accept the Inspectors Report on the Unitary Development Plan. The report, due in late July, recommends that the housing development at Bullinghope should not be approved and that the site at Holmer should be accepted instead.

"I plead with Herefordshire Council not to make this mistake and rule Bullinghope out - that could end any hope of the road all together. The Council must delay this decision, or adopt both the Holmer and Bullinghope sites as I have already asked them to do.

"I also remain concerned that the Flood Defence scheme is not secure. The planning application has been submitted but if there is any further delay, particularly with local people objecting to heights of walls etc, then I am told that funding would be at risk.

"The Council need to put the Rotherwas Access Road and a new river crossing at the top of its priority list. These schemes are more important than the proposed new council offices or a new livestock market - without an access road and a new river crossing the City of Hereford will stagger to a halt. Herefordshire Council must not let this happen".