LEADING opposition councillors are calling on Herefordshire Council to reveal what alternative plans they had for the funding earmarked for the proposed southern link road in Hereford.

The council’s infrastructure chief John Harrington decided in August to pause and review the Hereford bypass and southern link road.

He said at the time that the council would look at alternative options as part of the review.

This could include infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, an eastern river crossing, removal of traffic lights and an electric bus service or ultra-light rail system.

However, Marches Local Enterprise Partnership board, which channels funding from central government for regional projects, rejected changes to the funding agreement by eight votes to one at an emergency meeting in November.

Councillor Nigel Shaw said: “The proposal, however, remained confidential and has been kept secret from councillors and the public ostensibly because of election purdah rules.

“Now that the election is over will the leader, in the spirit of openness and transparency, order the immediate publishing of this document so that we can all examine the alternative proposals that his administration have prepared in secret, without any consultation, and not just the cabal of officers, councillors and LEP board members who were privy to the LEP meeting?”

Council leader David Hitchiner replied: “The proposal in relation to South Wye Transport Package was recommended in a report presented by the LEP executive not Coun Harrington.

“However, I agree that it is important for this paper to be made public and I understand that the LEP will shortly be publishing the paper on their website now that purdah has ended.”