FORMER Hereford mayor Jim Kenyon believes county residents should have the last say on the western bypass proposals once they have reached their final stage.

The city and county councillor has long called for a road to go between Ledbury Road in Tupsley and the B4399 at Rotherwas to ease traffic on the east of the city.

He says he is not against the idea of a western bypass but believes Herefordians should have a vote on the final proposals.

He said: “When parish councils do their neighbourhood development plan they have to have a referendum.

“It has to be approved by the parish council, then it has to go to the county council to be approved and then adopted – why don’t we have to do the same with the bypass?

“The council has come up with a route, OK, it’s the red route, now go to the people and have an honest referendum

“Point out the facts, this isn’t going to improve traffic in Hereford it is probably going to increase traffic.

“People think that a bypass is going to improve traffic. It is not, I feel it may well increase traffic.

“If you are travelling from west Wales and you want to get to Manchester and suddenly going by Hereford is more attractive. We are attracting more traffic onto the A49, one of the deadliest roads in the country.”

However, councillor Philip Price, cabinet member for infrastructure, says an ‘expensive’ referendum on the bypass scheme is not needed.

“The proposals have already been put out to significant public consultation over a period of years and we take all feedback into account,” he said.

“During the consultation earlier this year, 59% of responses were in favour of a bypass.

“The extensive technical work that has been carried out has shown that the proposed route corridor is the most appropriate way to deliver the bypass, and following development, there will be a further period of consultation later this year.

“The bypass will encourage growth and active travel across the region, as well as providing a boost to Herefordshire’s economy.

“The scheme will also help to promote health and wellbeing; reducing traffic congestion, delays and accidents and encouraging physical wellbeing through active travel.”

He said the council would like local people to get involved with future consultations.