Work starts on delayed £9.8m transport hub

A ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of construction work

Construction work on a multi-million pound transport hub linking buses, trains and taxis in Hereford has begun.

Delays to the project at the city's railway station saw costs surge by £70,000 last year, but a ground-breaking ceremony for the £9.8m scheme took place on Thursday.

The scheme, which links heritage attractions with public transport, and provides pedestrian and cycling areas, is expected to be complete by August next year.

It has been paid for with Levelling Up cash from the government, £3.5m from Herefordshire Council and £1m from active travel funds.

The scheme links buses, trains and taxis with facilities for pedestrians and cyclists

Larry Butterworth, senior project manager at Herefordshire Council, said the plan was to move away from private vehicle use and encourage cycling and walking.

A key aim was to create safe public space with vehicles kept to the edge of the site, he said.

"One of the main drivers I've always used for the project is Hereford is home to the National College for the Blind and we have consulted them extensively," he said.

"They've supported us all the way in creating a huge public realm area that's safe. You come out of the station and you're not bombarded with traffic or people."

'Everything's in place'

Councillor Philip Price said reaching this point had been a "long time coming", with designs including an open space where people could move around.

"You'll get a good view as soon as you come out of the station door," he said.

"It will naturally lead to where you want to go for your next transport, whether it's buses, you might want to cycle, you might want to hire a cycle here, you might want to walk.

"If you're a student coming by train, you're right on the route to walk up the hill to the colleges. Everything's in place to get it built."