FRUSTRATED residents called discussions of the preferred Hereford bypass route a ‘stitch-up’ as it was revealed that important government agencies are yet to comment on the contentious proposals.

Herefordshire Council’s general scrutiny committee was told on July 18 that Highways England and Natural England are yet to respond to the project’s consultations for a preferred western route.

There was a packed public gallery at Shire Hall and dozens of residents also aired their frustration at not receiving adequate answers to their questions to the committee.

A total of 17 residents submitted questions but were generally left dissatisfied with a generic answer saying the committee would be scrutinising the evidence and rationale for the proposed cabinet decision and would ensure that the issues are explored.

Following several questions, which were not directly answered, frustration grew among the public gallery, residents shouted for answers and one member of the public shouted ‘it’s a stitch-up’.

Jean Richards, one of those who asked a question, said: “I asked if there were written responses from Highways England or Natural England as they do not appear in the consultation report.

“Surely this means that the conclusions of the consultation report may be inaccurate, and the scrutiny committee do not have all the information they need to scrutinise effectively.”

Scrutiny chairman Sebastian Bowen replied: “Highways England and your other people have all been asked to comment and have so far not done so.”

He explained the agencies had visited the sites and were aware of the problems and effects the new bypass might have on the area.

“But they have not so far deemed to respond to us,” he said.

“They will be kept in full contact and we will continue to ask the questions.

“It will be interesting to see what comes out later, but we cannot give you an answer because we have not had an answer from them.”

The committee went on to consider the issues raised by the public questions and discussed them during the debate.

The chairman assured the meeting that all public questions would get a written response in time to ask questions for next week’s cabinet meeting.