Transport Hub for Ludlow proved to be feasible

South Shropshire District Council's Executive Committee has commended the project and seeks its early inclusion on the Shropshire unitary's forward capital programme.

The District Council funded a detailed study into the feasibility of, and costs involved in creating an integrated transport hub for Ludlow. Plans, outline costings, and a report from specialist firm of engineers and transport planning consultants, Scott Wilson plc were discussed at the Council's Executive Committee.

The project involves an area that includes and extends the lower levels of Ludlow's Galdeford car park,, providing room for a dozen stands for buses and coaches and specific parking bays for use by motorcyclists, taxi drivers, disabled drivers, and visitors arriving in larger vehicles, such as motor caravans. A one-way system is proposed that would see coaches and buses turning off Station Drive opposite the train station to access the transport hub, and then leaving by a separate exit higher up Station Drive.

The hub would allow people to arrive in Ludlow by bus, coach, car, cycle or a short fairly level walk from the train station and then link up with the town bus services and taxi companies to access the shopping centre at the top of the hill and other areas of the town.

"The aim is to provide facilities to make it easier and more convenient for people of all abilities to access Ludlow's town centre, no matter which form of transport they use to arrive in the town, and it is just the kind of thing this Council is here to do," said Leader of the Council, Cecilia Motley.

"We're pleased to be presenting a sound case for this project, embedding it on the agenda before the Unitary Authority takes overall responsibility for such matters next year."

Last year, the District Council's Executive Committee agreed to fund the £30,000 study, which was prepared in conjunction with the County Council, which is the current Highway Authority with responsibility for traffic issues in South Shropshire towns.

"The Executive Committee has received the study and agrees that this plan forms a good basis for discussion," explained the Council's Chief Executive Graham Biggs. "The scheme is set to cost at least £1.5 million, quite possible nearer £2 million once land acquisition and project management costs have been added in. It is clearly beyond the resources of this Council, which will cease to exist in March next year, so the Executive has agreed to promote the study to the new Shropshire Council for inclusion the forward capital programme in the early years of the unitary."

The concept was first raised by local resident Ed Havard in 2005 and was endorsed that year in an early form by Ludlow Town Council's Parking and Highways sub committee. Ed Havard became a District Councillor representing the Ludlow Sheet with Ludford Ward in the May 2007 election.

Issued by South Shropshire District Council - 21 July 2008