Diversion for Ludlow roadworks branded 'crazy'
Coaches and lorries will struggle to get out of Ludlow town centre next week because of a "crazy" diversion around three days of roadworks, councillors have said.
Both Ludlow's new mayor Councillor Tim Gill and Shropshire councillor Andy Boddington have called a planned diversion "crazy" – as they say large vehicles will not be able to use it and it could hurt businesses at peak tourist season.
Brand Lane, a one-way street that is a key part of the exit route out of Ludlow town centre - linking Broad Street with Old Street - is having to have electricity and water connections installed.
To get out from the town's central square otherwise, traffic will either have to go under Broad Gate, a narrow arch at the bottom of Broad Street, or via a steep, narrow, and winding road to the side of Ludlow Castle at Dinham, with the latter being recommended at the official diversion route.
Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, said: "Brand Lane is the main exit from the town centre and the only one suitable for HGVs and coaches. The plan is to divert traffic along Dinham and over the Whitcliffe. That is frankly crazy.
"I cannot see why this work can’t be done in one day. My observations from Ludlow are that most of the time during which repairs and installations are underway, there are no workers on the site."
Councillor Gill agreed, calling the diversion along Dinham "absolutely crazy", saying there was a particular hair-pin bend that even small cars struggled with.
“Ludlow is a long way from Shrewsbury and this is sometimes evident in the decision making of Shropshire Council," he said.
"I hope our traffic enforcement officers will be around for those three days to sort out the chaos that will ensue and which the highways and transport team in Shrewsbury seem oblivious to.
"The proposed re-routing of coaches and lorries along Dinham, over the bridge and then up and around Whitcliffe may look sound on paper but that tight bend with its uneven camber will cause a lot of problems.
"And I just hope we do not end up with the Broad Gate being damaged by jammed lorries.”
He said many town centre businesses relied on bus and coach parties stopping in Mill Street, but it was likely they would just avoid coming into town in the first place - for three days in peak tourist time.
"It's going to cost businesses money and there's no talk of compensation," he added.
Shropshire Council was not available for comment across the bank holiday.
