Warning over historic archway

A leading conservation expert has warned of a potential tragedy if urgent action is not taken to safeguard an ancient part of Ludlow, Broadgate.

Colin Richards, South Shropshire District Council's conservation officer, made his comments after a campaign to safeguard Broadgate.

Broadgate, a single-lane road that passes beneath a house in Ludlow town centre, has been the site of a number of near misses involving pedestrians. The path is too narrow to allow people and cars to pass.

Residents have presented a petition to county highways bosses, demanding the closure of Broadgate and the rerouting of traffic.

Today Mr Richards wrote to Ludlow town centre Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, saying: "I can confirm that there have been many representations to Shropshire County Council highway officials Phil Crossland and Hugh Dannatt requesting that they uphold their stated promise to put in place protective measures to safeguard the ancient Broadgate arch.

"These representations have taken the form of letters from Bill Jones, Robert Chitham chair of Ludlow Conservation Advisory Committee, Lady Thomas, and lobbying from English Heritage.

"All parties are concerned that the ongoing damage of physical impact and danger to pedestrians will ultimately lead to tragedy and an avoidable loss of precious heritage which we are jointly responsible for safeguarding."

He added that there had been a "significant vehicular impact and very near miss of a pedestrian" just last week.

He added: "English Heritage have publicly stated that they cannot be expected to contribute further investment in Ludlow if we cannot put in place simple measures to protect the resources they committed to the repair of the arch two years ago."

Councillor Taylor-Smith said that he would be closely monitoring any developments.