Graham appointed to design £45m Hereford bypass
Construction on the first phase of a planned Hereford bypass remains on track to begin in December, after contractors were appointed to design the early phases of the scheme this week.
Graham Construction has been awarded a £1.8m contract to lead detailed design and early works for the project, a two mile stretch of road which will link A49 and the A465 to the south-west of Hereford.
The scheme, which has been on the drawing board for more than a decade, was granted planning permission by Herefordshire Council in 2015, and implemented in 2019, according to the authority.
A full business case for the bypass is expected to be brought forward later this year.
“Early contractor involvement is essential for a project of this scale and complexity. Graham’s experience in delivering major infrastructure schemes will help ensure a robust, buildable design, smoother approvals and a clear pathway to construction,” said Cllr Philip Price, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure.
“Completing Phase one of the Hereford Bypass is expected to deliver immediate benefits, including reduced traffic in South Wye neighbourhoods, improved access to the Enterprise Zone and enhanced network resilience. The route already has planning permission and forms the essential southern anchor for the full bypass.”
The council says Graham will now work professional services partner, AECOM, to refine the design, progress third‑party approvals and prepare the scheme for construction.
A further cabinet decision will be taken later in 2026 to award the full construction contract.
