Hereford Connect2 Greenway
Hereford is ideally suited for walking and cycling. It is relatively flat and with a population of 55,000 living within a three-mile radius of the city centre, it's not surprising that the city recorded 8.9% of journeys to work by cycle in the last census. It is surrounded by picturesque and open countryside just a few miles away and the River Wye Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lies close by to the south east. The Rotherwas area offers employment to some 25,000 people, and is set to increase further over coming years through the Rotherwas Futures project. Unfortunately the city centre and Rotherwas are separated by the River Wye, and while a few river crossings exist, journeys to and from Rotherwas by car involve passing through the city centre and can be very time consuming.
The Hereford Greenway will create a healthy and viable alternative to the private car for everyday journeys for residents and visitors for pedestrians and cyclists between the city and Rotherwas and the countryside beyond.
Once complete, the project will be able to cut journey times between the two locations from around 40 minutes by car, to just 15 or 20 minutes by bike. Even walking will be quicker for those travelling from the north east of the city. The Public Steering Group will also look at enhancing the reach of the scheme from the edge of Rotherwas out to Holme Lacy with assistance from Sustrans, local private landowners, and other key partners such as Holme lacy College, and Herefordshire Council. From the heart of the city centre at Hereford Cathedral, the Hereford Greenway will pass through Castle Green with its idyllic views of Victoria Footbridge over the River Wye. The route passes through the quiet residential streets before heading out of the city toward a proposed new bridge across the river. There will also be links from here to the residential areas and schools to the north east of the city.
The focal engineering aspect of the Hereford Greenway will undoubtedly be the new bridge over the river close to the Eign Railway Bridge. This will cater for non-motorised users including pedestrians, cyclists, and disabled users by including graded ramp approaches on both sides to help access.
Once across the river, the route will be traffic free into the estate, following for most part the line of the dismantled railway and making the all important connection into the estate. The dismantled railway then allows the future development of the route through to Holme Lacy. The scheme will tie into the National Cycle Network in Hereford. The scheme will allow Route 44 to continue south towards Ross-on-Wye while also offering an eastern extension to route 46 currently connecting Abergavenny and Hereford.
There is an active and enthusiastic Public Steering Group that is helping to shape this scheme. New members are always welcome; if you are interested in joining or simply would like more information, please contact either: arthurlee@sky.com (Group Chairman) Mark Edwards (Herefordshire Council) medwards2@herefordshire.gov.uk
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