Paul Keetch the MP for Hereford has suggested that County and Parish Councils of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire should combine to find a solution to the safety problems on the B4221 M50 to Newent road which straddles their borders.
He was speaking at a meeting with the B4221 Action Group held at Gorsley Chapel last Friday. Also present were transportation officers from Gloucestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council.
He said: "I would support the principle of the two counties and the two relevant parishes working together. If those authorities were persuaded that something could be done pro-rata by Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, the overall cost to the authorities might be less."
He said that Gloucestershire would have to take the lead as the larger part of the road was in that county. Forest of Dean MP Diana Organ was not present at the meeting but Gloucestershire was represented by Councillor Will Windsor-Clive.
The Action Group has a vision that the B4221 will again become a "quiet country road".
To achieve this they want effective traffic calming, a reduction in volume, weight and speed of traffic, avoidance of any improvements that might encourage more traffic, and, in the longer term, an alternative route to the M50.
Richard Waters from the Gloucestershire council spoke at length in answer to the Action Group's presentation, outlining the measures being undertaken concerning speed limits and safety.
But the group's spokesman, Brian Collier, said that there were broad areas of disagreement. He said: "I can't understand why we've got the A 40 trunk road, built to different standards, which has 30 percent less traffic than this road.
"I am surprised that measures have not been taken to divert traffic on to roads built to carry it."
Mr Waters said that the Gloucestershire Council monitor the relevant stretch of road consistently. He said that weight limits to exclude heavy goods vehicles were very difficult to enforce.
John Colyer, transportation manager for the Herefordshire Council said that there were no plans in place to improve his stretch of the road for some time. However he was in agreement with Mr Keetch about having discussions with Gloucestershire.