In March 2007 CPRE herefordshire Chair, Bob Widdowson, commissioned Amanda Attfield to write a poem 'in requiem' for a swathe of green-belt land due to be lost to the construction of the Rotherwas relief road. The landscape affected is of a high landscape value, being in the ancient Dinedor area.

Due to this road being built, despite much opposition, a swathe of our beautiful countryside has been destroyed. The land used for this road stretches from Bullinghope on the A49, directly past Dinedor Hill and through greenbelt land to the Rotherwas industrial estate.

To read the history behind this road, go to Members' Page. This page has a link to our latest newsletter (June 2007)

I can see the diggers through
the double glazing. There’s
a peaceful kind of noise going on.
I can’t hear a thing - I say,
I SAID CAN’T HEAR ANYTHING.
But you can’t hear me. At least
the you that was you can’t hear me.
They warned me to expect
a profound change in behaviour.
From our bedroom window, look
you can see clear across to where
it will go, the cut across cornfields,
below the Callow. I say,
BELOW THE CALLOW.
On the map it was a clean black line,
like on skin before an operation.
They make it look so easy. It’s not
like other diseases. It’s on the increase,
and they don’t know why. The diggers
look a bit unsteady on their feet as they
rock around under the tree crowned
hill line, trying to remember which way is up.
They don’t wake up wet at night like
a child, and cry. Their retirement plans
haven’t gone by the board. And they aren’t
mourning for the one they love, who’s dead
but still alive. My daughter is on the end
of the phone if I need her. Badgers will have
their own special tunnel. I say, BADGERS.
TUNNEL. I know you still recognise me.
Your eyes are all watery. THE ROAD, LOVE,
THEY ARE BUILDING THE ROAD.
And you say, as you always say these days,
grateful for every thing that’s done,
‘If you think that’s best’.                                       ©Amanda Attfield March 2007

To see more commissioned work by Amanda, produced for CPRE, click here

You may be aware that a 4000 year old archaeological find has been made, whilst constructing this road.

Amanda has also recently written a poem on the 'Rotherwas Ribbon' and graciously has allowed it to be published here, as well as at www.rotherwasribbon.com

Campaigners are currently fighting to avoid this find being 'encapsulated for future generations'. How much damage could occur to this ancient pathway (unique in Europe) from the vibrations caused by HGVs regularly travelling over it?

The debate rages at the moment and if you want to have your say or help with the campaigning, the following website, www.rotherwasribbon.com has useful suggestions on how you might help.

English Heritage have yet to make a decision on the scheduling of this ancient pathway - your support would be invaluable.

Return to top

Return to CPRE Homepage

Home | Contact / Join Us

CPRE Herefordshire is a registered Charity: No: 213951. The Campaign to Protect Rural England exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country.