Plans for a £1 million transport hub in Ludlow took a major step forward today after regeneration bosses backed the project.
Ludlow’s mayor Councillor Graeme Kidd and town clerk Paul Russell have met chiefs from regional regeneration agency Advantage West Midlands about the scheme for a new bus and taxi rank close to Ludlow train station.
They say they are hopeful of landing funds from the agency if they can justify the need for an integrated transport hub that links rail, bus, taxi and coach services.
Advantage West Midlands regeneration experts have told civic leaders in Ludlow that they are impressed by outline plans for the transport hub, which would be built at the lower levels of Ludlow’s Somerfield car park.
The agency has not yet been asked to fund the scheme, but Councillor Kidd said today bosses were broadly supportive of the idea.
Advantage West Midlands could be one of the major funders of the project, if the scheme makes financial sense.
Councillor Kidd said they wanted to find out more details before making any commitment to fund the scheme.
He said: “We have been in talks and people seem to like the idea. The next stage is for us to conduct a proper evaluation of the idea.
“A thorough report would probably cost in the region of £10,000 to £15,000. I am pressing very hard to find that money so we can get the idea costed.”
The plans were drawn up by Ludlow campaigner Ed Havard.
South Shropshire District Council, which owns the Somerfield car park, and a private landowner who owns part of the land that would be incorporated into the hub, have already said they support the plan.
However, the scheme is so complicated and will cost so much money that it is likely to be at least three years before it comes to fruition.
Meanwhile, experts from Advantage West Midlands have also talked to Councillor Kidd and town council clerk Paul Russell about a controversial £250,000-plus plan to revamp the town’s market square.
Town councillors want to move the market from its existing location to a spot nearer Woolworths.
However, the plan has been criticised by some traders.
A final decision on whether or not the market revamp should go ahead is unlikely to be made until April.
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