Safer Roads Initiative

The roads within the parish are narrow, winding, mostly unlit and mostly without pavements. They are shared by domestic and commercial drivers, agricultural machinery, motorcyclists and pedal-cyclist, pedestrians and equestrian.

The B4222 is used as a route for drivers travelling between the towns and villages in the forest to Newent, Ledbury and the M50; as well as a primary route for emergency services making the same journeys.

The minor roads provide access to our houses, but also act as a back-up route to/from Newent when the B4222 and B4221 are blocked (by accidents or road repairs).

The Safer Roads Initiative sets out a long term, three-pronged approach

  1. Addressing the overall state of the roads.
  2. Improving separation between vehicles and pedestrians
  3. Reducing excess speeds throughout the parish

Continued under investment over the years has left the roads potholed and unsafe for all users. Potholes can damage wheels and tyres; can twist ankles of walkers; can throw motorcyclists and pedal cyclists from their bikes; and can cause drivers to swerve into the paths of other road users trying to avoid them.

Councillors are monitoring the state of the roads, obtaining photographic evidence, submitting reports to Herefordshire Council and monitoring remedial actions.

If you are aware of any issues with any of the roads within the parish, please take the time to take photographs (remembering to be safe whilst doing so) and submit reports (this can all be done on-line, anonymously if you wish – or you can let us know and we can raise the issue).

The more evidence we obtain, the greater the case there is to petition for more action.

Mixing vulnerable road users with cars, lorries and agricultural machinery on unlit, winding, narrow roads is a daunting experience and, ultimately, a recipe for disaster. Along the 4.4km length of the B4222 through the parish there is approximately 100m of proper pavement.

Councillors are working to gather data to petition Herefordshire Council to upgrade existing roadside verges to maintained footpaths. Councillors are also working with landowners on the maintenance of roadside hedges and trees to minimise the need for vulnerable road users to be forced into using the road.

Residents are aware of the excess speed employed by some drivers along the roads in the parish.

Councillors are working with West Mercia Police on the enforcement of speeds along key routes; with the local SpeedWatch group to report excess speeds to West Mercia Police; and pursuing funding options to support the implementation of speed awareness and monitoring devices that would provide important data that would support further actions.

The data collected from the last Speed Indicator Device deployment is available to view.

Councillors submitted an application for grant funding (on 1st Feb 2024) to support the purchase of a Speed Indicator Device. A decision is expected in the early March 2024.