Month: July 2025

Council steps in to safeguard critical services

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Herefordshire Council has moved quickly to ensure critical community equipment and technology-enabled care services continue without disruption for residents across the county.

The change comes after the previous provider, NRS Healthcare, informed the council that it would be unable to continue operating beyond the end of July. Therefore, from 1 August 2025, two new council-commissioned providers will take responsibility, delivering these services to approximately 12,000 residents.

Hoople Ltd will now deliver the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES), which provides items such as shower chairs, toilet frames, commodes, hoists, pressure care mattresses and medical beds, along with specialist equipment for children with disabilities.

Careium UK Limited will take over the Technology Enabled Care Service (TECS), which includes lifeline units, pendants, falls detectors, smoke alarms and GPS devices, alongside the 24/7/365 emergency call monitoring.

The council is working closely with both organisations to ensure local staff are supported and the two services continue to be able to meet residents’ needs.

Residents and service-users do not need to take any action or make any changes to their normal routines or use of equipment. However, we would advise them to make a note of the new contact details, as shown below.

Hilary Hall, Corporate Director Community Wellbeing at Herefordshire Council, said:

As soon as we became aware of concerns regarding the future viability of NRS Healthcare, we worked quickly to explore alternative providers so that services can be maintained and residents who are most in need are protected. I am pleased that we have found new suppliers who can pick up these services immediately with minimum disruption to residents.

Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said:

We recognise how critical community equipment and technology enabled care is for people leaving hospital or for maintaining their independence at home. My message to them all is that we are working tirelessly to protect and serve our residents and have moved swiftly to find good alternative suppliers. Therefore, residents should experience minimum disruption as we transition to the new suppliers.

If you need to contact the Integrated Community Equipment Service, please contact Hoople Ltd on 01432 261818 or email CommunityEquipmentService@hoopleltd.co.uk.

For the Technology Enabled Care Service, please contact Careium UK Limited on 01323 690796 or email herefordshire@careium.com

Published: 31st July 2025

Resurfacing Works – A44 Bredenbury

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Dear Resident/Occupier,

Resurfacing Works – A44 Bredenbury

 As a result of a £11 million investment by Herefordshire Council, a number of roads across the county will benefit from being resurfaced this year.

As part of this investment, resurfacing works will be carried out on the A44 at Bredenbury from Monday 18th August to (and including) Friday 29th August 2025. The road will be closed between 0800hrs and 1700hrs each day.

The above length of road has been identified for such works following detailed and comprehensive surface and structural condition surveys that help us to objectively prioritise where we need to invest across Herefordshire’s highway network.

 The works will be taking place under a road closure and will involve the removal of the existing surface course before a new layer is laid. Where relevant, works will be undertaken to correct other highway defects including drainage. In order to protect the surface of the road once the work is complete, we have made utility companies aware of the work schedule and we will use our statutory powers to refuse all but emergency works and new connections in this area for the next 12 months.

A fully signed diversion route will be displayed locally.

We will do all we can to provide vehicular access to properties, although there may be times when we are not able to do so safely or there may be delays. You can get help and guidance from the dedicated marshals on site.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you, but we will do all that we can to minimise the impact of our work whilst a new surface is laid.

The programme of work may change in certain circumstances, such as bad weather. This may happen at short notice and without further written notification. All changes will be highlighted on the advance warning signs, which you’ll find onsite at the roadworks. For the most up to date information on roadworks across the county, please visit https://one.network.

If you have any questions about these works then please call us on 01432 260555.

Herefordshire Council

Cabinet agrees next step in delivery of phase one of the Western Bypass and Growth Corridor

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Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet have agreed the next step in the delivery of the first phase of the Hereford bypass, a major road infrastructure project that, if fully realised, could unlock acres of employment land and deliver thousands of new homes and related local infrastructure, while at the same time reducing traffic volume and improving air quality in the city.

At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, members greenlit the procurement route to enable phase one of the bypass to move to its construction stage. Members also approved the plan to acquire land necessary for the project, ensuring value for money for council tax-payers and its successful delivery.

The first phase of the Bypass was previously known as the Southern Link Road and will see a new road joining the A49 to the A465.

Cllr Philip Price, Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure, welcomed the decision, saying: “It’s vital for the city and the county overall that we develop the infrastructure to support much-needed new housing and economic growth in the county, as set out in our Local Plan, and this decision is a very important step in that process.

“We are delivering on our commitment to build the transport infrastructure we need to help alleviate congestion and enable local growth. The first phase of the Hereford Western Bypass will help reduce traffic on key routes, most notably Belmont Road and Holme Lacy Road, and support further development of employment land south of the river.”

This phase is part of the proposed Western Growth Corridor, which if fully realised will enable the county to develop the infrastructure needed to:

  • Improve transport connections and strengthen the resilience of the network – vehicles travelling north to south through the county mostly go through Hereford to cross the river. Creating another road bridge across the River Wye will reduce reliance on Greyfriars Bridge and the A49 through the city, improving journey times and improving resilience of the network.
  • Promote better health and wellbeing for our residents – reducing the volume of traffic on roads in the city creates the opportunity to deliver improvements to walking, cycling and public space in the city.
  • Improve local air quality and public places – reducing congestion will help improve air quality in the city making it a cleaner more attractive place to visit and spend time.
  • Support growth in the county – helping to meet the new target, set by the UK government, of building 27,260 new homes over a 20-year period. Delivering all these new homes is not possible without strengthening our local infrastructure.  Reducing congestion and improving journey times will be a boost to local businesses and improve residents’ access to work, education, training and services.

Cllr Price continued: “We have thoroughly considered the opinions of local people and businesses throughout, including a review of the feedback gathered from the Hereford Transport Strategy Review. The views and experiences of local people remains vital, and we will be fully consulting with residents and businesses as we progress.”

More information can be found in the Cabinet papers.

Published: 18th July 2025

Check your voter registration details as part of the annual canvass

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Don’t lose your vote – residents in Herefordshire urged to check voter registration details

Herefordshire residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.

The annual canvass allows Herefordshire Council to keep the electoral register up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it’s too late.

Colette Maund, Electoral Services Manager at Herefordshire Council said: “The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate and up to date. To make sure you don’t lose your say at upcoming elections, please simply follow the instructions sent to you.”

Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

Residents with questions about their registration status can view Herefordshire Council’s Annual Canvass FAQs or contact the Electoral Services Office at 01432 260107.

Published: 14th July 2025