Chaos as major Ludlow roads closed

Motorists faced roads chaos in Ludlow today as two major routes in the town were closed at the same time to carry out essential repair work to town centre buildings and a bridge.

King Street, between its junction with Bull Ring and Broad Street, has been closed for about four weeks from today to allow repairs to be carried out to some shops along the road. Some shops were closed and part of the pavement has been cordoned off.

And repair work to stonework at the town's Ludford Bridge, costing about £90,000 and lasting about nine weeks, is also continuing. The bridge, which carries the B4361 across the River Teme, was closed on January 4.

Bosses at Ludford Bridge Service Station said the impact of the closure had been "terrible".

Paul Heathman, managing director of the service station, said: "It has been terrible, mainly because they have also taken the footpath up in front of us so it has all come at once.

"It is early days yet with the King Street being closed as well but I can only think it will make it worse. We are still open for business but I suspect most people will be avoiding the town centre."

But Carol Cornes, of Vaughan's Sandwich Shop in King Street, said she felt business had been "about the same" as usual in the town.

Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for transport and IT, said: "We understand that the closure of King Street will cause disruption, especially as Ludford Bridge is closed. However, we will do all we can to limit this."

Rosanna Taylor-Smith, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, said: "We hope that by co-ordinating all these works together, we will get the work done as soon as possible."