Shropshire Star

Fresh delay over Ludlow superstore plan

A decision on whether to build a controversial supermarket near Ludlow has been stalled for three months once again due to road traffic concerns.

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It is the second time Highways England has put a three-month hold on deciding whether the planned 25,000sq ft (2,322sq m) store at Rocks Green, on the edge of Ludlow, can go ahead.

The body which looks after the country's major roads has been consulted as the new supermarket would be accessed from the A49. The extra wait will mean it will be June – 18 months since the plans for a supermarket were first lodged with Shropshire Council – before the authority can decide whether to allow it to go ahead.

No chain has been confirmed to take on the new store, though developer Blackfriars says it will create 210 jobs. A campaign has been launched by residents and traders who say Ludlow does not need another supermarket, and it will harm the town centre.

Patrick Thomas, asset manager for Highways England, said the body had put the plans on hold in December for more information on how they would affect the A49.

He said assessments had now been carried out, but not quite in line with what Highways England expected.

He said: "The original holding period has now expired and to date the required information has not been provided to Highways England for review and agreement."

He said it was confirmed that the section of A49 "does currently operate within capacity and with a lower than national average collision rate", but evidence was still needed to show it would "operate safely and efficiently" with the extra traffic expected in the store's opening year.

Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Commerce and member of the Love Ludlow campaign, said the delay was a mixed blessing. She said: "A further delay might put off commercial interest, so it's good news for us in a way. But really I'd just like Shropshire Council to throw it out so that we can all move on."

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