Church Stretton revamp plan approved

Plans to remove eight on-street parking spaces in Church Stretton as part of a £70,000 scheme to improve the town's High Street have been approved.

The changes will be removed to allow pavements to be widened. But the idea has attracted criticism from members of Church Stretton Chamber of Trade.

The scheme was approved by Shropshire Council's south planning committee in Bridgnorth yesterday.

It brings an end to wrangling between members of Church Stretton Town Council and chamber of trade officials.

Consultation was carried out on three options – two-way traffic with localised widening of pavements and no parking in High Street; one-way traffic and pavement widening and parking retained; and no change to the existing layout.

Councillors backed the first option.

John Gott, chamber of trade treasurer, said they favoured keeping the road as it was and were concerned about the effect it would have on their businesses if changes were made.

He claimed all the traders votes had not been taken into consideration during responses to the consultation which showed 235 people agreed with option one and 229 for no change.

But John Sumner, chairman of Church Stretton Civic Society, said wider pavements were needed for access.

And Bob Welch, Church Stretton mayor, said: "The residents are the traders' main customers so the council remains very unsure why traders are opposed to what residents say they want."