Doubt cast over River Wye bridge plans as cost triples

Aerial view of eastern Hereford, showing the A438 to the north of the river and Rotherwas industrial estate to the south

Plans to build a road crossing over the River Wye are in doubt after the predicted cost of the project nearly tripled.

Proposals for a bridge to be built east of Hereford, also include a road linking the A438 Ledbury Road with the Rotherwas industrial estate.

The predicted cost has skyrocketed from £56m to £150m.

"It clearly no longer looks such an attractive proposition," said councillor Philip Price.

Mr Price, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for transport, said the figure came from an as-yet unpublished strategic outline business case (SOBC) for the project.

He added: "Whilst I have no doubt that the eastern river crossing would add some resilience to the highway network, I continue to believe that the city's economy and need for housing would be better served by a western bypass."

'Championed by community'

His response was in answer to a question from his Independents for Herefordshire predecessor John Harrington, a champion of the eastern crossing.

The project "will deliver a bridge more quickly, more efficiently and for less environmental and financial cost, was agreed as policy by full council, and has been championed by the business community and our MP," Mr Harrington said.

Reviving the western city bypass, a project cancelled by the previous administration, was a central pledge of the Conservatives' successful election campaign in the county last May.