Published 2/11/2026 By William Turtle-Clark

Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for transport and infrastructure has cast doubt on whether full construction of the Hereford bypass will begin by Christmas, acknowledging that key legal and environmental hurdles remain unresolved.

Councillor Philip Price confirmed that while the council remains committed to delivering Phase 1 of the road, connecting the A49 to just beyond the A465 southwest of the city, it would be "premature to give a firm date for the start of substantial construction."

With less than two months remaining to meet the council's original target, the local authority is still working to update the project’s full business case and finalize the primary construction contract.

The scheme also faces a compulsory purchase order process to acquire land along the route from at least one unwilling landowner, while Natural England has yet to issue essential environmental permits regarding the disturbance of local dormice and great crested newt habitats.

In addition, the council has applied to itself for a scoping opinion to ensure its Environmental Impact Assessment for preliminary enabling works meets legal standards, with a formal determination date set for 27 November.

Councillor Price stressed that Phase 1 remains the vital anchor point for the entire bypass scheme, designed to ease city traffic congestion and unlock new housing and commercial development across the area.

However, he maintained that main construction work will only commence once the council is fully satisfied the project is deliverable and represents clear value for taxpayers' money.

The opposition Green group reiterated its total opposition to the road build, with group leader Councillor Stef Simmons criticizing the timing of the council's environmental assessment and raising serious doubts over whether the project can remain within its £45 million budget given the accumulating pre-construction costs and delays.