CALLS for additional warning signs to be installed ahead of a new temporary junction on a busy Hereford road have been answered.

Work to build an additional 20 rooms at Hereford's Premier Inn, on Holmer Road, got underway last week.

But concerned local resident, George Thomas, who lives off nearby Roman Road, said the works are a safety hazard for motorists.

That is because the normal entrance to the hotel's car park, off Holmer Road, has been closed while the pedestrian entrance, off Roman Road, has been opened to cars, coaches and other vehicles.

Mr Thomas said: "First of all there's the good news that the Premier Inn is building 20 new rooms which shows to me that Hereford is continuing to grow and is good news because we have quite a shortage of hotel rooms.

"The key thing is that danger is created with the new temporary entrance, with hundreds of cars, coaches and especially heavy lorries delivering building material coming out on to the exceptionally busy Roman Road."

He said this created a 'huge risk' – especially to vehicles turning left off Holmer Road at high speed and could be faced with a coach or heavy lorry blocking the road and having to quickly brake.

Mr Thomas said he does not believe that the Premier Inn has done enough to alert motorists to the danger, particularly those coming up Holmer Road travelling up and turning left on Roman Road.

"My key message to road users is to be aware there's a traffic danger on that very busy roundabout. Equally I would be calling for the Premier Inn to install earlier warning signs," he said.

Responding to the Hereford Times this week in a statement, the Premier Inn said that while the project has full permission from the Highways Agency, the team recognised there had been some 'concern' over traffic movements in and out of the site.

"In response, the team is currently producing additional signage for the site to help motorists with the new arrangements and to ensure vehicles enter and exit the site safely. These signs will be erected within two weeks."