Hereford cut-through could be cut-off

Plans are being put forward to prevent drivers from using a Hereford cut-through.

Herefordshire Council has issued a proposed traffic regulation order (TRO) to keep vehicles, other than those accessing houses, from Pilley Road, Clifton Road and the appropriately named Carless Close in the east of the city.

It appears that drivers have been using the streets as a cut-through between the A465 Aylestone Hill and the A438 Ledbury Road via Folly Lane, avoiding the traffic light-controlled junction at the eastern end of Folly Lane.

The council’s head of highways and traffic Ed Bradford says in the proposal that the move “would prevent drivers who are utilising Pilley Road and Clifton Road as a through route, but enable residents, their visitors and deliveries to continue to utilise the road as usual”.

In so doing it would reduce danger to people and other traffic as well as damage to the roads, while “improving the amenity of the area”, he said.

Accompanying plans show that “No Motor Vehicles” signs would be put up at the north end of Clifton Road at the junction with Folly Lane, and at the southeast end of Pilley Road where it meets Ledbury Road.

Ian Phillips, resident in Pilley Road for nearly 30 years, confirmed residents had been told of the plans but said there was “never a problem” before traffic lights were put in at the nearby junction.

“I don’t mind if drivers respect it’s a residential area,” he said. “But some young drivers don’t, and are even ‘popping’ their cars. And you have families with young children on the street.”

His own preference was for the Folly Lane end of Clifton Road to be blocked off to traffic entirely, as has already been done south of the city at the Web Tree Avenue / A49 Ross Road junction, he added.

Consultation on the council’s plan ends 12 September 2025.

Herefordshire Council says it “receives many requests for TROs each year”.

These are usually proposed by councillors in response to local concerns. But they must meet Department of Transport guidelines and any concerns of emergency services or other stakeholders before they pass into law.

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