Residents in Ludlow have presented a petition to a county highways boss calling for the permanent closure of Broadgate, close to the town centre.

People from Lower Broad Street Residents Association last night met Hugh Dannatt, a senior highways officer from Shropshire County Council.

They gave him a petition calling for the closure of Broadgate.

Jenny James, a member of the residents’ association, said residents were fed up and wanted the closure of Broadgate to traffic.

They hoped Shropshire County Council would draw up orders for its closure.

Broadgate is a house with a large arch through which vehicles can pass along a single-lane road.

Jenny said vehicles often approached Broadgate at speed and drove through it recklessly. Volunteers had carried out surveys to gauge the movement of traffic through Broadgate.

She said one of the principal concerns of residents was that someone would be struck by a vehicle. She said the path beneath Broadgate was very narrow and somebody could be killed.

Fellow protester Tim Mawson said it was hoped the county council would respond to residents’ concerns by closing Broadgate for good. The authority would also be able to remove unsightly road signs on either side of Broadgate.

Mr Dannatt received the petition and said Shropshire County Council would examine their request.

He said: “I am listening to what the protesters have to say. I will report back to senior council officers and councillors. We have been aware of concerns about Broadgate for some years.”

l A story in Tuesday’s Shropshire Star inadvertently broke an embargo. We apologise for any embarrassment caused.