Month: December 2023

The study was carried out by consultants AECOM and looked at 18 road and non-road options in order to identify the optimum solutions.  The report concludes that two alternative routes – with either a 30mph or 40mph speed limit – for a new road between the B4399 at Rotherwas to the A438 east of the city offer the best solution.  Each option would carry a walking and cycling route alongside.

The report also recommends that these schemes could be further investigated to the next stage – the Outline Business Case – that would identify a single preferred alignment.  The two routes could cost between £145m and £200m to build, depending on the option, with an earliest opening date being 2031.

Cllr Price, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said “I welcome the opportunity to publish this Strategic Outline Case. The report suggests the Eastern River Crossing and Link Road could provide traffic relief to Hereford and help to increase the resilience of the local highway network by providing a second major road crossing of the River Wye to complement the Greyfriars Bridge on the A49.  However, the report has also identified a significant increase in costs from earlier estimates, much of which is due to the long bridge required to cross the River Wye flood plan.  In my opinion, at up to £200m in total,  this scheme can no longer be viewed as a low-cost alternative to the western bypass.  I will be considering how this may affect the options available to provide much-needed traffic relief to the city, and expect to take a report to Cabinet in the New Year.”

The summary document is available to read here, while the full appendices will be made available at a later date.

The Herefordshire Hoard is set to join the displays at JORVIK Viking Centre in February, when the unique collection of coins and jewellery will take pride of place in one of the central display cabinets within the world-famous museum.

The Herefordshire Hoard, which has been loaned to York Archaeology, comprises 29 silver coins, one silver ingot, a beast’s head gold bracelet, a rock crystal pendant and a gold ring.  It would have been buried around AD 878, and represents the first evidence of the Great Viking Army in Herefordshire.

Christine McDonnell, head of collections for York Archaeology said:

We are incredibly grateful to be able to share this with visitors to JORVIK Viking Centre. We will never know why these precious objects were buried – perhaps as a way of keeping them ‘safe’ as the owner went off to battle – but they reveal new information about politics in the south in the late 9th century. Some of the coins demonstrate an alliance between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex at a time when the unification of England was taking shape.

Damian Etheraads, Herefordshire Council’s museum and art gallery lead said:

The Herefordshire Hoard is an amazing collections of objects which throw light on a little known but significant episode in English history. Loaning objects like the Hoard to other museums is an important way of raising the profile of Herefordshire and encourage people to take a new look at the area. We are looking forward to developing new partnerships and loaning more of our amazing collections over the coming years as we redevelop Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.  We are grateful to our supporters and funders the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, the Headley Trust, Herefordshire Museum Service Support Group and individual givers who made it possible to acquire the Hoard as well as to the JORVIK Viking Centre for sharing its story.

There will be an opportunity for people see the Hoard in January 2024 before it goes on loan. Select objects will be on display in the Temporary Library at the Museum Resource and Learning Centre, Friars Street, Hereford between 9 and 17 January 2024 during opening hours. There is no need to book.

The Rural Enterprise Fund will see £1m made available over the next two years, as part of funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund. Businesses can apply for grants between £5,000 and £50,000 to purchase equipment and undertake building works to assist their business growth.

Applicants, which can include start-up businesses, farmers looking to diversify and a range of rural based business, must provide additionality, value for money and ensure that their activity will not harm the environment.

Cllr Graham Biggs, Cabinet Member Economy and Growth, said: “The Rural Enterprise Fund will help to provide a range of support for businesses based in rural areas of Herefordshire, including the creation of new and safeguarded jobs, increased visitor numbers and turnover, and the adoption of new technology.

“This scheme will make a big impact to local business and help to strengthen the economy of the whole county. I encourage any businesses that may be eligible to find out more and get in touch.”

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 2 January 2024, and if invited to proceed, full applications must be received by midnight Monday 12 February 2024.

For more information, and details of how to apply, please visit herefordshire.gov.uk/rural-enterprise-fund.