Ludlow Eco Park labelled an 'embarrassment'
The "gateway to Ludlow" has been labelled an "embarrassment" by a councillor who claimed it has been neglected for years.
Ludlow's Eco Park is owned by Shropshire Council and is home to the town's park and ride which Councillor for Ludlow South Viv Parry said is meant to be a primary gateway into Ludlow.
In a question to full council, Councillor Parry said: "The park and ride is meant to be a primary gateway into Ludlow. Yet, its surface is severely damaged and has recently had nearly half the area barricade off, reducing the parking area by nearly half.
"Antisocial behaviour, littering and fly-tipping is commonplace. The CCTV doesn’t work. The bus shelter is an embarrassment.
"What plans does Shropshire Council have to maintain this part of its estate and upgrade it to the standard expected for a gateway to a premium tourist destination?"
In a reply from Councillor Steve Davenport, portfolio holder for highways and transport, says the car park is inspected on a regular basis and quotations are being obtained to improve the car park as a whole.
He said: "Ludlow Eco Park, park and ride is inspected on a monthly basis and any safety defects are rectified in accordance to Shropshire Council’s inspection manual.
"With regards to the recent maintenance issues resulting from the latest antisocial behaviour the works to remove the damaged sections of car park and fill voids with stone went ahead as planned and were completed on July 10.
"All the barriers which were required due to safety reasons were removed on July 10 on completion of the safety work.
"With regards to the permanent fix of the car park surface we will need to look at ways of securing the site more effectively to prevent the antisocial behaviour which has been identified as the root cause of the ongoing maintenance issue.
"Options Shropshire Council could look into include the installation of knee rail along verge and lockable barriers on entrance and exit, there obviously will need to be processes established to open and close these barriers at appropriate times to allow the car park to be used during operational hours.
"When the site is more secure we would then be at a point to look at what options are available to improve the car park as a whole and improve the facility for visitors to Ludlow. Quotations for the work are being obtained, and subject to available funding the work will commence."
