Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St. Margaret’s, Turnastone & Vowchurch.
Our parishes lie in the Golden Valley and in the foothills of the Black Mountains in Herefordshire. The Escley Brook and the River Dore run through our parishes to the west and east respectively.
The land to the west rises in a series of ridges and valleys towards the Black Mountains, whilst in the east the land is flatter before rising again on the east side of the Golden Valley. The whole is characterised by great natural beauty.
The population of the parishes is approximately 600 within an area that measures very roughly 5 miles east to west and 4 miles north to south.
The city of Hereford lies about 10 miles due east, whilst the Welsh border town of Hay-on-Wye lies a similar distance to the north-west.
Our parishes are served by the Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council.
News:
Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council – May Newsletter
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Thursday 28th May 2026 at Escleyside Hall, Michaelchurch Escley, starting at 7:00pm.
Speaker to be confirmed but please save the date and do come and meet with your local Parish Councillors. Light refreshments will be provided, and all are very welcome.
Police Force Merger Consultation
John Campion, West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner, has launched a consultation to gather views from residents of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Worcestershire regarding Government proposals to merge police forces across England and Wales.
The Government has announced that an independent review will be carried out, which could see the current structure of 43 police forces reduced to 12. This would represent the most significant change to policing in over 60 years.
The consultation runs until 15th June 2026, and feedback from as many West Mercia residents as possible is encouraged.
• Consultation: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/91056156/Police-force-mergers-2026
• Further information: https://www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/consultations-and-surveys/public-consultation—police-force-mergers
Welsh Water Update
Welsh Water has provided a further update on progress regarding ongoing water supply issues affecting residents in Newton St Margarets. Work includes:
• Installation of an early warning monitor
• Targeted leakage detection
• Network modelling and investment planning
In addition, four air valves will be installed in May. These are expected to help reduce pressure surges and, in turn, lower the frequency of burst water mains in the area.
Dog owner responsibilities
Please remember to clean up after your dog whenever you’re out for a walk. Leaving dog mess behind isn’t just unpleasant for others—it can spread bacteria, damage local green spaces, and create unnecessary hazards. Carrying bags and taking a few seconds to dispose of waste properly helps keep our community clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
Next Parish Council Meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday 7th May 2026 at 7:30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall and will be the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
Residents are encouraged to attend. There is always an opportunity to raise any concerns.
Contact Details
Linda Cowles
Parish Clerk
Tel: 01544 321906
Email: clerk@vowchurchgroup-pc.gov.uk
Website: http://www.vowchurchgpc.org.uk/
Follow us on Facebook: vowchurch group parish council
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The PROW Lengthsman has been out and about in the area making improvements to our Public Rights of Way
B4348 & C1206 Speed limit – Latest update – February 2026
The Parish Council continues to seek further clarification regarding the timescale for improvements to road markings and signage through Vowchurch village and Turnastone. Herefordshire Council has recently advised that Balfour Beatty will be unable to complete the works before the end of their current contract period. Since then, alternative routes for commissioning the works have been explored. Unfortunately, it now appears that the scheme is unlikely to progress through the framework until at least May 2026. The Parish Council has been assured that every effort will be made to deliver the scheme at the earliest opportunity.
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After a thorough review in accordance with the Department for Transport (DfT) Circular 01/13 on setting local speed limits, the decision has been made not to reduce the speed limit from the national speed limit along the B4348 from Potson Mill to the C1222 junction. This decision is based on several key considerations:
Road Environment and Geometry: The overall environment along the B4348 is characterised by relatively sparse development, with isolated hazards such as junctions appropriately managed through signage and road markings in line with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD). The road’s geometry and surrounding environment do not meet the criteria for a 40 mph limit, as indicated by DfT Circular 01/13, which requires speed limits to reflect the character of the road and surrounding conditions. It’s a common and understandable thought that lowering a speed limit can only be a move for the better but speed limits that are set at inappropriate levels and / or over inappropriate lengths do have drawbacks such as increased incidents of overtaking, tailgating etc.
Collision History: When conducting a speed limit review, one of the primary criteria is the evaluation of recorded collision history for the section of highway under consideration. This analysis is crucial as collision data often reveals the locations and causes of accidents, enabling the determination of whether these incidents can be mitigated through the implementation of speed limits and/or engineering interventions. This review is limited to the use of evidence from the Herefordshire Council accident database to ensure consistency in assessments conducted across the County. A review of the collision history for this stretch of road shows three recorded collisions in the past five years which resulted in personal injury. While I understand the concern, the causative factors behind these accidents are not attributed to excessive vehicle speeds. Furthermore, these incidents are unlikely to have been prevented by the implementation of a lower speed limit suggesting that the existing national speed limit does not present a significant safety concern requiring intervention. This data indicates that the current speed limit and associated traffic management measures are sufficient for maintaining road safety.
Consideration of a 50 mph Limit: A 50 mph limit was also evaluated for this section of the B4348; however, the recorded 85th percentile speeds range from approximately 45 to 48 mph, indicating that drivers are already traveling at speeds they deem safe within the national speed limit. Introducing a 50 mph limit could inadvertently suggest it is safe to travel faster than what motorists currently assessing without a speed restriction, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. As a result, a 50 mph limit has been ruled out to avoid negatively impacting the current safety record. Speed limits tend not to influence the behaviour of those that wilfully drive at inappropriate speeds, often the effects of putting a speed limit in place can be disappointing insofar as the actions of the irresponsible motorists are often still evident.
Assessment of C1206 for a 30 mph Limit: The C1206 was also considered for a reduction to a 30 mph limit. While this location meets the criteria for a ‘village environment’ as defined by DfT Circular 01/13 on two stretches throughout the extent, and existing speed data suggests good compliance with a 30 mph limit due to the road’s geometry and environment, the collision history does not indicate a need for intervention. The recorded speed data from July 2024 further suggests that implementing a 30 mph restriction would not significantly alter motorist behaviour. Given the limited budgets and resources available, Herefordshire Council must prioritise interventions where significant safety improvements can be achieved. The evidence does not support a change to the speed limits along these roads, as there is no indication of a substantial safety benefit.
Future Engineering Measures: While a speed limit is not currently supported for the C1206 through Turnastone, several engineering measures can be implemented to address concerns regarding specific features, such as the bridge and blind bends. These measures would enhance the safety of these particular hazards and are likely to offer greater benefits than the introduction of a blanket speed limit. Indeed, this approach aligns with the Department for Transport’s recommendations for managing isolated hazards.
The following engineering measures are provisionally proposed:
- ‘SLOW’ markings at existing warning sign locations
- Edge of carriageway markings through the two blind bends
- Vegetation removal on the visibility fence adjacent to the bridge (see attached image)
A review of possible engineering solutions will be conducted in the near future, with design drawings to be submitted to the Parish Council for approval. The implementation of these measures will provide a quicker and more effective solution to influencing driver behaviour than the introduction of a speed limit.
In conclusion, the decision to maintain the national speed limit along the B4348 from Potson Mill to the C1222 junction and not reduce the speed limit on the C1206 is supported by the road environment, collision history, and speed data. Maintaining the existing speed limits aligns with DfT Circular 01/13 and ensures that resources are focused on locations where they can provide the most significant safety improvements.
