Road works and closures

Forthcoming road closures:

B4224 Closure

WHITE LINING UPDATE: Friday 15th March

Balfour Beatty have advised that the ongoing wet weather and subsequent wet ground conditions continue to delay their completion of the white lining. The road surface on the B4224 requires a period of dry weather in order to dry sufficiently before they can complete the works. Therefore, they are proposing to hold off for the time being and will return to complete the works once the weather improves and a dry period has been identified. They will provide a further update once they can confirm a return to site.

White Lining Wednesday 6th March

As you will have noticed, the white verge lines were not installed last night. BBLP tell us that they will be completed overnight tonight under the same conditions, so please do not park along the main road after 6.00pm this evening.

White Lining Tuesday 5th March

The weather didn't cooperate last night, but the forecast looks better tonight. The cones will go out again at 6.00pm this evening and hopefully the white lines will be down by 2.00am tomorrow (Wed) morning. Same access arrangements as last night.

White Lining Tonight Monday 4th March

Weather permitting, BBLP plan to complete the traffic calming works overnight this evening (Monday 4th March) when they will be installing the white road lines.

Please do not park vehicles on the B4224 after 6.00pm tonight

There will be 2 way traffic lights operating at the west end of the village by Lower House Gardens. Access will be maintained to all parts of the village but you might have to wait to be allowed past the lining machine. Please be patient and courteous.

The works should be complete by 2.00am tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

Thanks again to all residents for your cooperation over the past few weeks. We hope to see the benefit of reduced traffic speed by tomorrow morning.

Update (Wednesday 28th February)

BBLP have today confirmed that they will be attending to the remaining white lining works on the night of Monday 4th March from 18:00 to 02:00.

On the West (Hereford) side of the village there will be two-way Lights at Lower House Gardens to allow them to complete the elements at that location. Throughout the rest of the village they will also be completing the remainder of the lining works. They have asked that cars do not park on the main road on the evening of the 4th March. During the lining works, vehicles will be allowed past the lining machine where feasible, though they ask again for residents to be patient and allow extra time.

Update (Friday evening Update)

The road works are finally almost complete and there should be no further road closure or diversion. The team were unable to complete all the white lining today due to water on the road and we do not know yet when they will be back – it might be sometime over the weekend. It will obviously help the team if there are no cars parked along the road, so could you please try not to park in the road over the weekend. If it is necessary to park in the road, please leave a mobile number in the windscreen so that the team can contact you.

Update (Friday 23rd February)

The B4224 from west of Cherry Hill to Woolhope Road will be closed all day today from 9.30 to 3.00pm. Vehicles will not be allowed through the barriers, other than to access properties within the closed section. Access to the rest of the village will be via the diversion routes.

The white lining through the village is still to be completed, so please do not leave cars unattended in the road either today or overnight.

We expect that today will be the last day of the road closure. Thanks everyone for your patience over the last two weeks.

Bus Service:

Unfortunately the 454 bus service will not be able to operate again today between 9.30am and 3pm as the closed area extends beyond Cherry Hill Rise. The bus provider has extended their apologies for the inconvenience this will no doubt cause.

Update (Thursday 22nd February)

Update - we have been advised that it may not now be feasible to install the white lines over-night, so please do not park on the B4224 this evening or tomorrow between 9.30am and 3.00pm.

The B4224 west of Cherry Hill Rise to Scotch Firs will be closed today and tomorrow from 9.30am to 3.00pm to enable the additional works required to that section. Access to the village between Scotch Firs and the Church will only be possible via the diversion. Due to the large number of works vehicle within the closed sections, the marshals will not allow access to anyone other than residents within the closed section, so please follow the diversion signs.

The white lining from Woolhope Road to the church will be installed overnight, so please do not park in the road this evening or tomorrow evening.

Bus Service:

Unfortunately we have been informed that the 454 bus service will not be able to operate between 9.30am and 3pm as the closed area extends beyond Cherry Hill Rise. The bus provider has extended their apologies for the inconvenience this will no doubt cause.

Update (Wednesday 21st February)

as of 2.30pm Wednesday:

The road is now fully open for the rest of this evening, but will be closed from 9.30am to 3.00pm tomorrow as identified by the red line on the map below for the additional work required to that section. As before, access to the closed section will only be permitted for residents within the closed section. Anyone wishing to access the village from the Hereford direction between 9.30 and 3.00 will need to use the diversion. Lining work will continue throughout the rest of the village, but we understand that vehicles will be allowed to pass the lining machine when feasible – please allow extra time and be patient.

Bus Service:

Update (Wednesday 21st February)

The road marking works continue as planned today despite the wet weather. The B4224 will be closed from 9.30am to 3.00pm, at variable locations between Cherry Hill Rise and Nash Pitch. Marshals will allow access through the barriers for residents, business customers and anyone needing to get to the Medical Centre. Please keep in mind that if allowed through, you will be driving in an active work area so be patient and respectful of the workmen. Drivers wishing to pass through the village en-route to Hereford or Ross should continue to use the official diversion.

We hope to have more news on the plans for tomorrow and Friday this afternoon.

The bus service to Hereford will once again turn at the Cherry Hill Rise development on Thursday and Friday this week. Updated notices will be displayed in the timetable cases this afternoon.

Third update (Tuesday 20th February)

Road Closure Extended - Update

During works on the Hereford side of the village, unexpected deterioration of the road surface was found on the edges of the road. BBLP have worked with Herefordshire council to access funding which will allow an additional area of resurfacing to be completed as part of the current scheme. Unfortunately, this means that the road closure will now continue until Friday evening, however, the additional works will further improve the condition of the road throughout the village and avoid the need for future road repairs and closure.

The additional works will affect the West (Hereford) side of Fownhope and the closed section will again extend from Cherry Hill Rise to Woolhope Road. This section will be closed between 09:30am to 15:00pm on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd February to facilitate school drop off and pick up. During these works, access to properties within the closed section will again be permitted by the marshals. Access to the remainder of the village will be via the official diversion, as last week.

While it is disappointing to hear that the road closure will now continue to the end of this week, the Parish Council feel that completing these additional works now will be less disruptive than a separate closure at some point in the future. We will continue to provide daily updates on the closure and access arrangements via Facebook and the village website.

Second update (Tuesday 20th February)

The road from Cherry Hill to Woolhope Road is now open. Woolhope Road to Nash Pitch is closed to enable the lining to be installed throughout the village, but marshals are allowing residents, business customers and patients visiting the medical centre through.

The lining programme has started at the bottom of Nash Pitch and is moving through the village. The barriers at the Ross end of the village will be moved through the village as the works progress, gradually opening access to residents and businesses over the course of the day.

Works will continue tomorrow, so please do not park on the B4224 from 9.30 tomorrow morning.

Update (Tuesday 20th February)

It seems that the road from Cherry Hill Rise to Woolhope Road might have to close for a short time this morning to allow the line marking team to complete their work on that section. We will hopefully have clarification shortly.

Parts of the B4224 from the junction of Woolhope Road towards Ross will be closed today. Work will start on the small section between Woolhope Road and Court Orchard which will be re-opened as quickly as possible to enable access to Court Orchard/Nover Wood Drive. The road closure will then progress through the village towards the church and Nash Pitch. The road will re-open at 3.00pm to enable school pick up.

Update (Monday 19th February)

The B4224 between Cherry Hill Rise and the shop side of Woolhope Road will be closed today from 9.30am to 3.00pm to enable Tarmac to finish the lining works on that stretch of road. Access into and out of the village will be possible via Woolhope Road. Works will start in the rest of the village (Woolhope Road to Nash Pitch) tomorrow (Tuesday), so please do not park vehicles in the road after 9.30 tomorrow morning.

Update (Sunday 18th February)

The re-surfacing work is ongoing between Scotch Firs and Court Orchard. The road is closed from Mill Field/Cherry Hill Rise to Court Orchard and at the moment, access is not possible via the Woolhope Road. Pedestrian access is open via the footpath and Tarmac expect to be able to allow vehicles through the Woolhope Road sometime after lunch. The section between Mill Field and Woolhope Road will remain closed into the afternoon.

The team plan to start work on installing the white lines along the B4224 from Woolhope Road through the rest of the village on Tuesday, so please do not leave cars parked in the road after 9.30am

Update (Saturday 17th February)

Work is currently ongoing at the bottom of Woolhope Road to prepare for re-surfacing tomorrow. Tarmac are making much faster progress than anticipated and expect to have the Woolhope Road junction open by 12.00 at the latest. They are allowing vehicles through the works when possible, however, if you attempt to use the Woolhope Road be prepared for a wait in both directions.

Pedestrian access to West End Stores is possible along the footpath but be aware that works are ongoing in the road so please follow any instructions given by the work team.

The work to the footpath between West End Stores and Lower House Gardens is also progressing faster than expected and it is possible that the traffic lights on that section will be removed this evening, allowing free flow of traffic in both directions.

The road between the new development at Mill Field (Cherry Hill Rise) and Woolhope Road will be closed again on Sunday morning while that section is resurfaced.

Tarmac are doing their best to minimise disruption to residents and are opening the closed section of road as soon as possible each day. When they open the road they turn the “Road Closed” signs around but leave the diversion signs in place. It is possible therefore that you might find yourself travelling via the diversion only to find the road open when you get to the village – this is frustrating, but we feel that it is better to open up the road as soon as possible rather than waiting until the advertised opening time.

It is clear that the closure schedule is changing as works progress – we will continue to provide regular updates, so please be patient and considerate to the Tarmac team.

And finally, if anyone is not familiar with the Traffic Calming programmes we are currently progressing, details can be found at the village website https://fownhopeparishcouncil.gov.uk/traffic-calming, in recent editions of the Fownhope Flag and the Parish Council Newsletter.

Update (Friday 16th February)

Saturday – The road will be closed from Mill Field to the Hereford side of Court Orchard from 8.00am to allow removal of the road surface between Scotch Firs and Woolhope Road in preparation for re-surfacing work. This work will be completed as quickly as possible to enable the section between Scotch Firs and Court Orchard to re-open, hopefully sometime after 12.00 noon.

Sunday - The road will be closed from Mill Field to the Hereford side of Court Orchard from 8.00am for re-surfacing between Scotch Firs and Woolhope Road. Again, the work will be completed as quickly as possible to enable the section between Scotch Firs and Court Orchard to re-open sometime during the afternoon.

During the above road closures, access through the barriers will only be permitted for residents within the closed section. Everyone else will need to use the diversion.

The closure between Mill Field and Scotch Firs will continue throughout the weekend, with access via traffic lights over night.

Next Week – There will be a lining team here next week to install the lines and coloured surfaces throughout the village. It is currently unclear whether they will need to close the entire village or be able to work on small sections at a time. We hope to have an update on Monday morning. In any case, the closures will operate from 9.30 am to 3.00pm, to allow school drop off and pick up. Anyone needing to drop or collect a child from school outside of these times will need to use the diversion route, as access through a closed section will not be permitted.

The Tarmac foreman and his team are working with the Parish Council to keep us updated and to reduce the inconvenience caused by the road closure to residents and businesses. Please be considerate of them when passing through or close to their work place and respect their requirement to follow safety measures to protect the workforce.

To Clarify – Mill Field is the new housing development at the Hereford end of the village, where the road closure has operated this week. As far as we know, the road closure will continue from this point over the weekend and into next week. Additional sections of road from Scotch Firs to Court Orchard will be closed on Saturday and Sunday mornings, as advised earlier today.

Access to properties and businesses within the closed road sections will be maintained by marshals who will allow residents through the barriers. No one will be unable to get to their property or into/out of the village. The official diversion is as stated on the letters posted to every resident by BBLP last week – B4224/Dormington/A438 Trumpet/A4172 Preston Cross/A449/B4224 and vice versa. The Woolhope Road is not part of the official diversion route.

The Parish Council understand that the works are causing inconvenience to residents and businesses, however, we believe that the traffic calming scheme will bring long term benefits to the village in the form of reduced vehicle speed, reduced emissions and improved road safety. We are extremely disappointed that residents and businesses were provided with inaccurate and misleading information by Balfour Beatty in advance of the works starting. The Parish Council is now liaising directly with the works foreman and expect to be able to provide accurate and timely information on a day to day basis. Updates will be posted to Face Book and the village website as they become available.

Bus Service:

Services 453/454, Hereford - Fownhope/Woolhope.

The centre of Fownhope will be closed for road works as follows:

Monday 12th February until Sunday 18th February between 0800 and 1700.

Monday 19th February until Wednesday 21st February between 0930 and 1500.

During the times of these closures these services will not be able to serve Woolhope or Church Croft/Court Orchard in Fownhope. Buses will turn in Fownhope at the entrance to the new development on the north side of Fownhope and will pick up/set down passengers at this point.

Herefordshire Council are reporting roads affected by flooding on their website: https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/news/article/1681/latest-flooding-informationatest flooding information – Herefordshire Council