64 and still working in 2031, ... its the end of the LDF plan
I am one of the (relatively small) minority of current councillors who can reasonably expect to STILL be working in 2031. (Yes, I’ll be 64 that year …). The LDF has literally been keeping me awake at night – so here are a few thoughts from the sleepless nights.
The Road
Nothing so far convinces me that this would address the real problem of the traffic in Hereford City Centre – which is NOT through traffic on the A49. Bear in mind – much of the A49 between Shrewsbury and Ross is SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY – it is NOT a major route.
Traffic congestion in Hereford City Centre is caused by low mileage in and out, within and across city journeys. It is journeys to work, to school and for shopping – in and out of the city.
This is what MUST be addressed, with viable, timely, affordable, attractive and safe alternatives (which will quite probably prove to be sustainable as well). And why are we STILL waiting for park and ride schemes, which also have the potential for increasing the frequency of local bus services on the main routes in and out of town?
The cost is reckoned to be £130 million (and we all know how these things have a tendency to increase!). That’s £130 million to travel how many miles and save how many minutes? Is it worth it?
Say I’m travelling from Whitecross to Ross – would I really be likely to begin my journey by travelling north and west – when I want to go south?
Remember the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – the answer is 42, but what was the question? Here the answer is a western relief road – but what was the question again?
I was used to choice in London – we had the M25, the North and South Circular Roads, and going through London. Depending on departure point and destination, day and timing, through London was sometimes still the best option. (The same would, I suspect, be true of Hereford).
We must begin to move on from our love affair with the car.
The solution to the traffic problems lies in the hands of all of us – we must “be the change we want to see” – and start making other choices, rather than automatically getting into our cars. And stop expecting EVERYONE ELSE to do something about it – YOU do something about it!
What else could we do with £130 million (if we had it!)? How many hydrogen buses would that buy? Or cycle tracks and hire bikes? Or hospitals, schools, swimming pools, parks, library books………………..carers’ wages?
In Three Elms, there are still plans to build houses – on flood plains / open ground near Whitecross School – and build another school! (Yet there are identified sites elsewhere that STILL have nothing happening on them).
Who do we want to encourage to move here, and what are we offering them? Besides a home, Hereford is a nice place to be (countryside etc) – but we risk spoiling that, and we’re not offering immediate and obvious employment opportunities. If Hereford becomes the retirement destination of choice (and part of me says, well, why not?) there will be implications for services (especially medical, care and leisure) but also benefits – a huge pool of volunteers.
Instead of doing big, expensive and complicated, why not try small, cheap and simple for a change?
Where are the visionaries? And why aren’t we cutting our coat according to our cloth, and keeping it practical, real and affordable?
Our natural heritage is a great treasure, NOT something to be beaten into submission by (not so) civil engineering.
What is wrong with standing still? Being who and where we are, and being good at it? That’s what makes Hereford an attractive place to be – now!
Take the long view – what use would the road be when we’ve run out of oil?
Only trust consultants, councillors and officers who walk and cycle in Hereford – they know what they’re talking about, the others don’t!
The Herefordshire Council Dictionary
I remember from essay writing, that it was always a good idea to “define your terms” before you began. Its something the Council needs to re-learn. There are many words that are used in documents, presentations etc that nobody seems to be able to define or that are used in a technical way that is not the same as the common understanding (and is therefore potentially misleading!). Here are a few I’ve been collecting. Perhaps we can have some suggestions for definitions – and a few more words too!
Affordable
Alternative
Around (especially in relation to “bypass” and “relief road”)
Bypass
Consultation
Debate
Listen
Pedestrianized (as in High Town, Hereford)
Relief Road
Resilient
Sound
Sustainable
I’ve asked if Overview and Scrutiny might look into this area (and communication generally). I have made a beginning …
“Consultation” seems to mean “ask a few people what they think, then ignore anyone who disagrees with you”. I should have added “consultant” too – “generally someone overpaid, lacking local knowledge who comes up with an idea that is not likely to work, and one that answers the wrong question anyway” – Central Govt seem to be realising they’re having problems with them, why aren’t we? Ask the real experts, the people who live here!