Anger over plan to close some rural roads to traffic

Proposals to close some roads in isolated spots of Herefordshire to traffic have sparked anger.

Kington resident Chris Marsden, a member of the county's Local Access Forum (LAF) which monitors its public rights of way network, said a move by Herefordshire Council to exclude traffic from seven minor roads had caused "uproar" at a recent forum meeting.

The consultation on a planned traffic regulation order (TRO) said the roads "are too narrow for motorised vehicles to use safely and are only suitable for pedestrians and horse riders".

But Mr Marsden said they were "not over-used or damaged" by vehicle use and no accidents had been recorded on them.

"It appears to be to save money and to avoid enforcing against obstructors" leaving them "as publicly maintained private driveways to large properties", said Mr Marsden.

However, Philip Price, the county's cabinet member for transport, said it did not intend to close the routes but was "currently at the very first step of the process" to restrict their use.

The roads include the unclassified Quebb Lane, south of Kington; the CP32 byway, Westhope; Spoon Lane, Dorstone and byway HM14, Hope Mansell.

Mr Marsden told a meeting of councillors that maintaining the roads would be "very low-cost" compared to the "very substantial cost" of consulting on restricting their use, which senior council managers appeared unaware of.

Councillor Justine Peberdy, also a LAF member, agreed money needed to be spent on improving the roads and "not on costly TROs to restrict public access".

Council leader Jonathan Lester said there was "work to do to make sure we are enforcing where we should, opening paths where we should, and protecting the safety of those who use our public rights of way", adding he would report back on these issues.

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