Plan to cut number of Ludlow advert boards backfires

A pilot scheme to reduce the number of advertising boards on pavements outside shops in Ludlow has backfired - with more now than ever before, according to town council chiefs.

Ludlow Town Council clerk Veronica Calderbank said Shropshire Council had "lost its way" with the pilot and has sent a letter asking when it will end.

Council bosses did a U-turn and said traders would be allowed up to two A-boards following complaints from shopowners who said they were struggling during the economic downturn.

But Ms Calderbank said there were now more boards in the town than ever before - claiming Ludlow Assembly Rooms had been given permission by Shropshire Council to have four outside.

She said: "Members are concerned that Shropshire Council have lost their way with the pilot and they want to know when it will end.

"One of them said it flies in the face of the original intention to reduce unsightly A-boards."

"More A-boards have sprung about around town even though it's only a pilot."

The town clerk said the council had received an e-mail from Ludlow Assembly Rooms thanking the council for letting them have four A-boards

She added: "Councillors said they did not buy into having four A-boards per premises in our beautiful town."

The town clerk said she would be writing to Shropshire Council to check the status of the pilot.

Shropshire Council was unavailable for comment.