HEREFORDSHIRE Council’s £8 million ‘Challenge Fund’ road programme will call a temporary halt to ongoing works in time for the arrival of Poppies: Weeping Window, the iconic cascade of ceramic poppies expected to attract thousands of visitors to the city.as part of NOW’s UK-wide tour.

More than 2,000 visitors per day are likely to visit Hereford Cathedral this spring where the spectacular poppy installation, created by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper to commemorate the First World War, will be appearing in this final year of its nationwide tour.

A relaxation of the Department for Transport’s original deadline for completion of the roads maintenance to be paid within this financial year has given the council time to review work already undertaken and to discuss the future programme with communities and businesses.

This decision has given the authority a chance to reschedule planned works so that they do not clash with significant events taking place in the city in the coming months.

With Hereford’s Home Front campaign running from March 14 to April 29, there will be a full programme of events across the city’s library and museums marking the centenary of the Great War and the sacrifices made by the people of Herefordshire.

The Poppies: Weeping Window, launched at the Tower of London in 2014 and now in the final year of its round the country tour, is certain to attract large numbers of visitors to Hereford Cathedral, and the council’s decision to pause works during this key period is certain to be well received.

Said cabinet member for road, transport and regulatory services, Councillor Barry Durkin: “We have learned from the challenges faced during the first phase of works, which were carried out with urgency due to the Department for Transport’s original time constraints. Herefordshire Council will use this opportunity to further review all completed Challenge Fund works and to discuss future planned works with the local communities and businesses.”

Councillor Durkin said major improvements had already been made to the quality of the A4103, A438 and A465.

“Thousands of visitors will be welcomed to Hereford over the next few months from across and outside the county,” he explained. “We expect to welcome around 2,000 visitors a day to visit the cathedral to see the Poppies: Weeping Window and then visit the wider county during March and April. This will bring a significant boost to the economy of Herefordshire as visitors find places to shop, eat and stay.”

Herefordshire Council’s public realm contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places will contact and liaise with residents and businesses affected by upcoming works. The revised Challenge Fund programme is expected to resume in May.