The bypass is part of an ambitious programme of major projects being progressed by Herefordshire Council to improve transport, support businesses, strengthen communities and create better places across the county. Phase One of the Hereford Bypass represents a significant investment in the future of Herefordshire’s transport network.

Phase One of the bypass will provide a new 3.6km link between the A49 and A465, creating a more direct route to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate and Hereford Enterprise Zone (HEZ). It will help improve connections, reduce pressure on existing routes and support future development.

The Full Business Case explains how the scheme will help address current transport challenges while supporting wider plans for economic growth across the county.

The benefits identified include:

• Reducing congestion and improving reliability – providing an alternative route between the A49 and A465, helping reduce pressure on existing roads and making journeys more reliable.
• Supporting economic growth – improving access to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate and Hereford Enterprise Zone, helping existing businesses and supporting opportunities for future investment.
• Creating better places to live – reducing traffic on residential routes including Belmont Road, Walnut Tree Avenue and Holme Lacy Road, helping create safer and more attractive areas for communities and active travel.
• Saving journey time – modelling shows that journeys between the A465 and the Hereford Enterprise Zone could be reduced by around six and a half minutes compared with the current route by the design year.

Phase One is the first stage of the wider Hereford Western Bypass. It will provide benefits in its own right while helping create the foundations for a longer-term improvement to the city’s transport network.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Philip Price said:

“Publishing the Full Business Case is an important milestone in progressing the Hereford Bypass. One of the reasons we have produced a detailed business case is to demonstrate that the scheme represents good value for money, and we are pleased to be able to do this today.

“The business case sets out the benefits the scheme will bring, including improving connectivity, supporting businesses, unlocking growth and creating better places for people across Herefordshire.

“Phase One will help improve the resilience of the transport network, strengthen links to key employment locations and support future opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.

“Delivering a scheme of this importance will require the support and involvement of the whole community. By working together, we can help create a transport network that supports Herefordshire’s future, improves connectivity and unlocks new opportunities for generations to come.

“It represents an important first step towards a more connected and resilient transport network for Herefordshire.”

The Full Business Case and supporting documents are available to view on the Council’s website.

Find out more about the Hereford Bypass here.

The bypass is part of an ambitious programme of major projects being progressed by Herefordshire Council to improve transport, support businesses, strengthen communities and create better places across the county. Phase One of the Hereford Bypass represents a significant investment in the future of Herefordshire’s transport network.

Phase One of the bypass will provide a new 3.6km link between the A49 and A465, creating a more direct route to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate and Hereford Enterprise Zone (HEZ). It will help improve connections, reduce pressure on existing routes and support future development.

The Full Business Case explains how the scheme will help address current transport challenges while supporting wider plans for economic growth across the county.

The benefits identified include:

• Reducing congestion and improving reliability – providing an alternative route between the A49 and A465, helping reduce pressure on existing roads and making journeys more reliable.
• Supporting economic growth – improving access to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate and Hereford Enterprise Zone, helping existing businesses and supporting opportunities for future investment.
• Creating better places to live – reducing traffic on residential routes including Belmont Road, Walnut Tree Avenue and Holme Lacy Road, helping create safer and more attractive areas for communities and active travel.
• Saving journey time – modelling shows that journeys between the A465 and the Hereford Enterprise Zone could be reduced by around six and a half minutes compared with the current route by the design year.

Phase One is the first stage of the wider Hereford Western Bypass. It will provide benefits in its own right while helping create the foundations for a longer-term improvement to the city’s transport network.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Philip Price said:

“Publishing the Full Business Case is an important milestone in progressing the Hereford Bypass. One of the reasons we have produced a detailed business case is to demonstrate that the scheme represents good value for money, and we are pleased to be able to do this today.

“The business case sets out the benefits the scheme will bring, including improving connectivity, supporting businesses, unlocking growth and creating better places for people across Herefordshire.

“Phase One will help improve the resilience of the transport network, strengthen links to key employment locations and support future opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.

“Delivering a scheme of this importance will require the support and involvement of the whole community. By working together, we can help create a transport network that supports Herefordshire’s future, improves connectivity and unlocks new opportunities for generations to come.

“It represents an important first step towards a more connected and resilient transport network for Herefordshire.”

The Full Business Case and supporting documents are available to view on the Council’s website.

Find out more about the Hereford Bypass here.

The new countywide service will provide households with kitchen caddies, an initial roll of compostable liners and outdoor food waste containers, making it easier for residents to recycle food waste separately from their general rubbish.

Cabinet approved a single countywide rollout after considering a range of delivery options. The approach offers the best value for money, minimises delivery risk and gives the council time to put in place the vehicles, equipment and infrastructure needed to launch the new service successfully.

Preparations over the next year will include procuring new collection vehicles and containers, making improvements at council depots and delivering a comprehensive communications campaign to help residents understand how the service will work before collections begin.

The introduction of separate weekly food waste collections is part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, which require councils across England to provide the service.

Once fully established, the new service is expected to collect around 6,500 tonnes of food waste each year, helping to increase Herefordshire’s recycling rate and reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal. The programme would also produce electricity as part of the treatment process as well as producing nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser.

The Council has already secured £1.85 million in Government funding towards the vehicles, containers and equipment needed to introduce the new service.

Herefordshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment, Councillor Elissa Swinglehurst, said:

“Today’s decision means we can move forward with introducing a food waste collection service that works well for residents, is practical to deliver and provides value for money.

“A single countywide rollout is the most cost-effective and efficient way to introduce the service. It gives us the time we need to put the right infrastructure in place and to work with residents so everyone understands how the new collections will operate before they begin in 2027.

“Recycling food waste separately will help us reduce the amount of waste in general rubbish bins, improve recycling rates and make the most of the Government funding we’ve secured to introduce this new service.”

The Cabinet report and supporting papers are available to read on Herefordshire Council’s website.

Mr Satoor’s appointment was confirmed on 1 May by full council following a comprehensive recruitment process.

Cllr Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Paul as he formally takes up the role of Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council. Through a rigorous recruitment process, we sought an exceptional candidate with the experience, skills and values needed at this important time for the council. The employment panel, made up of members from across political groups, recognised Paul’s outstanding track record and is confident he will be a real asset as we continue to modernise services and provide excellent and efficient public services. I look forward to working with Paul as he drives delivery of the Council Plan for the benefit of residents and businesses across the county.”

Paul Satoor said:

“I am proud to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at Herefordshire Council and to be joining the organisation at such an important time. It is clear that the Council and county have much to be proud of, alongside significant opportunities for the future. I am keen to build on the strong progress already made and help lead the next phase of improvement. I look forward to working with the Leader, Cabinet, members, staff and partners to deliver excellent public services, support our most vulnerable residents and make a positive difference for communities across Herefordshire.”

The transition follows Mr Walker’s announcement last September that he would be stepping down, having joined the council in 2021. During his tenure, he oversaw a period of significant progress and improvement, including strengthening the council’s financial position and delivering major investment in infrastructure and key services. This was most notable in the transformation of children’s services, which went from “inadequate” in 2022 to being rated ‘good’, with ‘outstanding’ leadership by Ofsted.

The Council’s progress was also independently recognised through the Local Government Association’s Corporate Peer Challenge, which described Herefordshire as a ‘good council’ with strong leadership and a clear ambition to improve further. Since that assessment, the council has continued to deliver, including balancing its budget despite reductions in central government funding, investing in roads, transport and housing, and progressing major projects such as the Hereford Transport Hub, Ross Enterprise Park, a new public realm service and the Hereford Bypass.

Paul Walker said:

“It has been an honour to serve as Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council and a real privilege to work alongside councillors, staff and partners across the county. I am proud of what we have achieved together over the past five years. We have strengthened the council’s finances, improved key services and helped create the conditions for growth and investment in Herefordshire. Significant progress has been made on major infrastructure and regeneration projects that will support jobs, homes and opportunities for residents for years to come, while at the same time improving services for those who rely on us most. Herefordshire is a county with enormous opportunity and I leave confident that the Council is in a strong position to build on this momentum, deliver its ambitions and help create an even brighter future for communities and businesses across the county.”

Cllr Lester added:

“As we welcome Paul Satoor to Herefordshire, I also want to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul Walker for his outstanding service over the past five years. As Chief Executive, Paul steered the council through a period of significant challenge and transformation, leaving the organisation in a far stronger position than when he first arrived. Under his tenure, we have strengthened our financial resilience, delivered major investment in infrastructure and services, and achieved real progress in key areas such as children’s services. On behalf of the administration, I would like to thank Paul for his dedication, professionalism and commitment to the county, and to wish him every success for the future.”

Joining Herefordshire, are Forest of Dean District Council, Wye Valley National Landscape, Powys Council and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, alongside community and environmental organisations.

Monmouthshire County Council are expected to confirm their support in the near future, completing what is the first coordinated effort of its kind across the full River Wye catchment to align local authorities behind the concept of a shared “rights of rivers” approach.

Developed in 2025 by a working group of community representatives, councillors and environmental organisations with an interest in the future of the river, it sets out a series of principles recognising the importance of the River Wye and its tributaries to people, nature and future generations.

The Charter provides a shared framework to support more coordinated working across the catchment. It does not change existing statutory responsibilities such as planning, regulation or enforcement.

Herefordshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment, Councillor Swinglehurst, said: “Protecting the River Wye requires genuine partnership across borders and organisations. Supporting the Charter is about standing alongside our partners and communities in recognising the river’s importance, and committing to work together on its long-term recovery. It doesn’t change our legal responsibilities, but it does strengthen the shared direction and ambition we all need if we are to make real progress.”

Forest of Dean District Council was the first to formally support the Charter following Herefordshire Council’s initial involvement, with other partners now joining or preparing to confirm their support.

Andrew McDermid, River Wye Charter original working group member, District Councillor and River Water Quality Champion for Forest of Dean District Council, said: “The concept of rights for rivers is an idea whose time has come. It is gaining momentum amongst local councils across the country and becoming more influential given the unsatisfactory state of many of our rivers due to pollution from sewage and agricultural run-off. It is a moral rather than a legal movement at this stage but one day hopefully gain enough critical mass to influence central government to take stronger action to restore our precious rivers.”

What is the Charter?

The Charter for the River Wye sets out a shared ambition for the river and its catchment, recognising its intrinsic value and importance to biodiversity, communities and local economies.

It encourages organisations to think and act at a catchment scale and to use shared principles to inform conversations and decision-making. It does not create legal duties or override existing responsibilities.

A partnership across the river

The Charter has been developed through collaboration across the England–Wales border, involving local authorities, environmental organisations, land managers and community groups. While it is not the first river charter in the UK, it represents the first time an attempt has been made to bring together local authorities across the full River Wye catchment in support of a shared ‘rights of rivers’ approach.

The approach reflects growing collaboration across the catchment and a shared commitment to long-term recovery of the river through partnership working.

The Charter was formally launched on 24 May at a riverside event featuring readings, speeches and a symbolic appearance of the Goddess of the River Wye. Aspects of the launch event were curated by ceremonialist Vey Straker, also known as Lady Wye, and featured performances by the Climate Choir.

Herefordshire Council has today, Friday 22 May re-elected Cllr Jonathan Lester as Leader of the Council for the coming civic year.

Cllr Lester, ward member for Three Crosses in North East Herefordshire, was first appointed Leader in 2018 and again at the beginning of the current administration in 2023.

On his re-appointment, Cllr Lester said: “I am deeply honoured to have been re-elected as Leader of Herefordshire Council. As we now enter the final year of this current administration, I remain as determined as ever to deliver the very best for Herefordshire in everything we do.

“Over the past year, the council has continued to deliver against our priorities, with a clear focus on improving services and outcomes for residents, supporting those most in need, and maintaining sound financial management.

“We have continued to improve children’s services, which are now rated as “good”, with “outstanding” leadership by Ofsted. We have supported thousands of children and young people across the county, including over a thousand with EHCPs and hundreds receiving specialist transport or care.

“Over 6,000 adults were supported with either short- or long-term support, carried out around 5,000 needs and occupational therapy assessments, and adapted 1,200 properties to help people live more independently at home.

“We made strategic investments to help vulnerable families, such as the acquisition of John Venn building to meet the growing demand for temporary accommodation – ultimately reducing the cost burden with less reliance on private rents.

“52 miles of roads were resurfaced with a further 58 miles surface-dressed, and in the first nine months of last year, we fixed 15,113 potholes. During the winter, once again were out 24/7 tackling flooding, often in treacherous conditions, to help keep highways clear and safe, and the county going.

“We are making good progress on our big transport infrastructure projects, such as the Hereford Transport Hub, Holme Lacy active travel schemes and multiple safer routes for schools. We have launched the Ross-on-Wye Enterprise Park, are expanding Rotherwas Industrial Estate and launched an inward investment campaign to help attract and enable economic growth and hundreds of new jobs.

“All this and much more has been delivered while at the same time facing increasing and more complex demands, significant funding challenges and divestment from central government. Just this month we once again delivered a balanced budget and made further savings for council tax-payers, adding to the £40 million in savings already delivered over the last five years.

“For the year ahead, we’ll be building on the progress so far. We’ll be resurfacing even more roads and improving how the public realm – highways, parks, paths and footbridges – is maintained. More than £37 million is being invested across 2025/26 and into 2026/27 in resurfacing, surface dressing, drainage and road safety improvements, with over 140 schemes planned across the network, from key A and B roads to neighbourhood streets.

“We will complete many of our big projects and begin new ones, including the first phase of the Hereford Bypass. We will focus on meeting our ambitious goals in our 2026/27 Delivery Plan, including transport, housing, economic growth and support for communities.

“This Delivery Plan sets out a clear programme for the year ahead, building on strong progress and focusing investment where it matters most – better roads, safer travel, quality services and the infrastructure that supports a thriving economy. We will also focus on those residents facing the worst cost-of-living pressures, providing the most vulnerable with the support they need.

“It is a privilege to lead a council with hardworking staff and dedicated councillors from all parties, all of whom are committed to delivering the best for Herefordshire.”

Also at the annual general meeting of the Council, held on Friday 21 May, Cllr Roger Philips was re-elected as Chairman of the Council, and Cllr Kevin Tillett was reappointed as Vice Chairperson.

The Chairman of the Council is the civic lead and ceremonial head of the authority and serves as the First Citizen of Herefordshire. In this role, the Chairman acts as an ambassador for the council, promoting Herefordshire and supporting community cohesion by attending civic events, hosting official visitors and engaging with local organisations across the county. They also preside over meetings of the full council, ensuring that business is conducted fairly, in line with the constitution, and that all councillors have the opportunity to contribute. The position is non-political, focused on upholding the values and reputation of the council, fostering pride in the county, and serving as a visible symbol of continuity, democracy and public service.

Speaking on being re-elected, Cllr Phillips said: “It is a great honour for somebody like me, that was born and bred in Herefordshire, to be Herefordshire’s first citizen and I thank you very much. I hope we continue to have an enjoyable and hard-working year ahead.”

Now, aluminium foil, foil trays, metal or foil-lined tubes (such as tomato purée tubes), and plastic tubes – including toothpaste and cosmetic tubes – can all be placed in household recycling.

The change makes it easier for residents to recycle common household items that may previously have been thrown away.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment, Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, said: 

“We know residents are keen to recycle as much as possible, and this update makes it easier to do just that. By adding items like foil and tubes to our collections, we’re helping people recycle more of what they use every day.

“Small changes at home can make a big difference, and we’d encourage everyone to take advantage of the expanded service.”

Recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill, cuts the need for extracting and processing raw materials, and helps save energy.

By recycling more, we can lower greenhouse gas emissions and help tackle climate change, while making better use of the world’s limited natural resources.

Across the UK, recycling already prevents millions of tonnes of carbon emissions every year – but there is still more we can all do.

To help ensure items can be successfully recycled, residents are asked to follow a few simple steps:

• Make sure items are clean and dry – a quick rinse is enough
• Squeeze out any remaining product from tubes
• Leave lids and caps on tubes before recycling
• Place recycling loose in the bin, not in plastic bags

For aluminium foil, residents can also scrunch smaller pieces into a ball to make them easier to process.

The Council is also urging residents to Be Clued Up about recycling and understand what items they can put in their recycling bin. Find out more on the Council’s website.

The plan reflects the breadth of services and programmes for the year ahead. In children’s services, the council will continue to strengthen early help support, develop new alternative provision and advance further investment in schools. This includes completing improvements to Brookfield School, Hereford and progressing the expansion of Aylestone School, also in Hereford.

The plan also reaffirms the council’s ambition to create a Child Friendly Herefordshire, ensuring children and young people are at the heart of local decision making and that services, spaces and opportunities across the county are designed to help every child feel included, valued, happy, healthy and safe in their homes and communities.

The council commits to delivering the new Prevention in Adult Social Care Strategy, expanding community based support, advancing reablement and hospital discharge improvements, and strengthening supported living, day opportunities and carer services – developments to reduce long term care needs and ensure people can live well within their communities.

The council will continue to drive major upgrades across the transport network – progressing the Hereford Transport Hub, Holme Lacy Road corridor and Aylestone Hill improvements, while also expanding and enhancing local bus services. The plan confirms the council’s intention to begin construction of phase one of the Hereford Bypass, marking a significant step toward delivering long term congestion relief and improved strategic connectivity for the county.

More travel choices remain a strong focus, with implementation of the Local Cycling, Walking and Wheeling Infrastructure Plan, which also supports safer routes to school, town centre connections, rural links and hospital access.

The council will continue delivering one of its most significant highways investment programmes to date, reflecting residents’ priorities around potholes, safer travel and better maintained roads. More than £37 million is being invested across 2025/26 and into 2026/27 in resurfacing, surface dressing, drainage and road safety improvements, with over 140 schemes planned across the network, from key A and B roads to neighbourhood streets. This includes £12 million for resurfacing and preventative treatments to reduce pothole formation, building on recent programmes that have delivered around 100 miles of improvements, repaired 25,000 potholes, upgraded crossings and signage, and strengthened routes that support daily life, commuting and business across Herefordshire.

Alongside major road upgrades, the council is investing strongly in the wider network of Public Rights of Way and bridges, recognising their importance for rural connectivity, tourism, agriculture and community access. The 2026/27 programme includes £1 million for PROW improvements and targeted funding to repair bridges, culverts and structures, protect routes from land slippage and erosion, maintain safer walking links and support parish level environmental improvements.

Housing and community resilience form a core part of the plan, with commitments to expand emergency accommodation through refurbishment of council owned properties, accelerate housing delivery on council sites, develop transitional accommodation, and progress the flood alleviation works at Merton Meadow and Essex Arms. The council will also continue work with registered providers and Homes England to bring more affordable homes forward, while addressing homelessness through strengthened prevention and winter provision.

The environment and climate portfolio will deliver the new Carbon Management Plan, expand home energy efficiency schemes, progress the next phase of integrated wetlands, contribute to the Catchment Management Plan for the River Wye, publish the Nutrient Management Plan and advance the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

In culture and heritage, the plan supports ongoing redevelopment of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, restoration of the Shire Hall, delivery of new cultural participation programmes, continued expansion of community arts work and progress on the Herefordshire Cultural and Library Strategies.

The council will continue to help strengthen the local economy by supporting business growth across the county. This includes progressing key employment sites such as the Ross Enterprise Park, which was formally opened last month, and expanding the network of business hubs in market towns, giving local enterprises the space, infrastructure and advice they need to thrive. Meanwhile, free 30 minutes’ parking in council-owned car parks to help bolster town centres begins later this month.

A renewed focus on attracting inward investment will see the council champion Herefordshire’s high value sectors and raise the county’s profile as a dynamic place to do business. Close collaboration with the defence, cyber and security cluster, alongside promotion of innovation led industries, will help draw new investors, employers and skilled professionals into the county.

To support long term growth, the council will work with partners, including NMiTE and the Skills Board to strengthen pathways into education, training and higher skilled employment. These programmes will equip residents with the skills needed by local employers, broaden career opportunities and help ensure businesses can access a strong and future ready workforce.

The council will continue to modernise operations, including a new delivery model for SEND home to school transport, an updated commissioning strategy, improvements to procurement, and further digital transformation – building on successful pilots of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and free-up time for frontline staff.

Financially, the plan is supported by a stable and well managed position, with the council taking effective action throughout the year and delivering strong performance. The Delivery Plan will operate within the balanced 2026/27 budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, with risks closely monitored through established governance and performance frameworks.

Cllr Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council said:

“This Delivery Plan sets out a clear programme for the year ahead, building on strong progress and focusing investment where it matters most – better roads, safer travel, quality services and the infrastructure that supports a thriving economy. From major highways work to sustainable transport, housing, skills and community wellbeing, the plan is designed to deliver real benefits for local people while sharpening our focus on economic growth by supporting businesses, attracting investment and working with high value sectors including defence, security and advanced manufacturing. It also reinforces our commitment to a Child Friendly Herefordshire, putting children and young people at the heart of local decision making so they feel safe, supported and able to thrive. Together, these priorities will strengthen connectivity, communities, our environment and the wider economy – a practical plan focused on delivering the best for Herefordshire in everything we do.”