Hereford businesses forced to move for £27m link road
Businesses on the site of a proposed link road in Hereford are being forced to relocate so the scheme can go ahead.
The £27m road will be built between Commercial Road and Edgar Street to allow access to 800 proposed new homes and a shopping centre.
Bosses at Station Auto Services Ltd, which has been based in Hereford for the past 18 years, are anticipating a compulsory purchase order.
Herefordshire Council says it is trying to get businesses relocated.
The firm's owner Andrew Sanders said: "We had problems retaining staff with the uncertainty. It's very difficult to recruit new staff because how can I offer them security? It's not possible."
The council said the link road will improve access to the county hospital and the railway station and provide a safe cycle route from the Western Way.
Herefordshire Council deputy leader councillor Philip Price said: "It's all coming together.
"It takes an enormous amount of effort to get it in place. Every bit of the way somebody will be trying to fight against it, some will be for it and the majority say nothing and just hope we're doing the right thing."