This map shows the AVERAGE ANNUAL DAILY TRAFFIC FLOWS (AADTs) from a 2012 baseline and with the construction of the Southern Link Road in both 2017 and then 2032. All data has come from Herefordshire Council’s consultants Parsons Brinkerhoff as part of the planning application for construction of this new £27million road.
Modelling and forecasting traffic is very complex so we are trying to keep it simple.
The modelling shows that when the Southern Link Road is opened in 2017:
a. A465 Belmont Road traffic on the would decrease by 13% (on section B below the Asda gyratory).
b. A49 Ross Road Traffic would increase by 15% ( on the section L below the Asda gyratory).
c. Traffic on A49 Greyfriars Bridge would remain unchanged at 45,000 per day.
This shows that vehicles are mainly transferring from the A465 to the A49 to come into Hereford. The greater increase in vehicles on the A49 shows that the road is not tackling the causes of congestion in Hereford – the high number of car journeys made “internally”. In fact by releasing additional road capacity this new road promotes increased car use and reduces the level of walking and cycling in South Wye.
If we now look at the situation in 2032, compared with 2012:
d. A465 Belmont Road shows an increase in traffic of 5% on the section B below the Asda gyratory.
e. A49 Ross Road shows an increase of 56% in traffic on the section L below the Asda gyratory.
f. Traffic on A49 Greyfriars Bridge would increase by 33% to 61,000 per day.
This road is not building for the future by providing alternatives to car use and tackling the cause of congestion on the roads at peak time within Hereford
THE PROPOSITION THAT THE SLR, WHETHER SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4, SC5, SC6, SC7,
SC8, OR ANY OTHER NUMBER OF SC WILL REDUCE CONGESTION IS NOT TRUE.
If you would like to respond to the planning application for the Southern Link Road:-
1.write to Ms Kelly Gibbons, Planning Dept, PO Box 230, Blueschool House, Blueschool Street, Hereford. HR1 2ZB. (Tel 01432 261781).
2. Or email her at kgibbons@herefordshire.gov.uk
3. Copy in your ward councillor (contact details can be found here )
In any correspondence include the planning application reference given at the top of this page P151314/F. Deadline for comments is now 5th November.
