Frost-damaged Ludlow streets to be resurfaced

More than a dozen streets around Ludlow will be resurfaced this summer as part of a £3.6 million project to repair Shropshire's frost-damaged roads, highways chiefs revealed today.

Shropshire Council today said it had allocated cash towards 14 worst roads in the town, using money from the extra £3,615,511 it received from the Government in March.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, councillor for transport and IT, said the grant meant the council had received more than double its 2010 resurfacing funding, giving a much-needed boost to its repairs programme.

Mr Taylor-Smith said: "Ploughing this extra money into repairing our roads represents a significant investment in road maintenance at a time when we are also looking to save a significant amount of money.

"Improving the state of our roads is one of our top priorities and it is vital that we continue to invest in and maintain our infrastructure."

Key roads earmarked for work July and September include the A4113 from Bromfield to Downton, the B4361 near Felton Farm, Corve Street, Dinham, New Street and Lower Broad Street.

Other sites to be resurfaced or patched are Clee View, Sandpits Road, New Road, Linney, Middle Wood Road, Sheet Road and Huntingdon Green.

Richard Bennett, from Shropshire Council's south west highways team, said: "I have scheduled them to commence after the Ludlow Festival, which ends on July 7, and to be completed before the start of the Ludlow Food Festival on September 9."

The council also today revealed it had already completed resurfacing work this year at eight roads near Ludlow, including Dodmore Lane, Hucklemarsh Road, Bringewood Close, Bringewood Road, Foldgate Lane and Steventon Road.

Shropshire Council said that although its staff regularly review the condition of the roads, it also relies on help from residents to identify places in need of repair.

It encouraged people to get in touch and report potholes online by visiting www.shropshire.gov.uk/hw"maint, by e-mailing cus tomer.service@shropshire.gov.uk or calling 03456 789006.

By Danny Carden