Civic group's concerns over Church Stretton improvements

Civic guardians for Shropshire's "Little Switzerland" have hit out at plans for £70,000 worth of improvement work, which is aimed at transforming the streets of their town centre.

The Strettons Civic Society has expressed "grave concerns" over Shropshire Council's plans for a town centre enhancement scheme in Church Stretton.

They have claimed Shirehall officials have failed to account of public opinion and insist more attention needs to be focused on the town's High Street.

Plans include altering the junction between High Street and Sandford Avenue, introducing a 20mph speed limit and bringing in a coach drop-off point in Lutwyche Road.

Transport officials at Shropshire Council earlier this year chose to retain parking spaces for up to seven cars in High Street at the request of the town's chamber of trade, dismissing a recommendation from Church Stretton Town Council for the spaces to be scrapped and the pavement widened.

A statement from the civic society said: "The Strettons Civic Society has written to Shropshire Council to express the society's grave concerns over the process by which Shropshire Council arrived at the decision to reject the Church Stretton Town Council's recommendation to improve pedestrian access to and safety on High Street.

"We have pressed Shropshire Council to recognise that our town council's recommendation does indeed have significant local support and to reconsider its decision."