Refurbishment of Castle Square Car Park retaining wall in Ludlow

Major work to refurbish the length of Ludlow Town Wall which retains Castle Square Car Park, behind the properties known as Knole Lodge and Spinnaker, is due to start on Monday 14 May 2012.

The proposed work will include stabilising the wall by installing ground anchors to tie it to the bed rock that lies at a depth of approximately five metres beneath the car park, taking down and rebuilding the wall’s parapet and repointing the whole wall.

Because of the wall’s status as a scheduled ancient monument, the scheme has been designed in close liaison with English Heritage.

The work is expected to continue until October 2012.

Unfortunately, to carry out the proposed work safely, it will be necessary to temporarily reduce the number of parking spaces available in the car park.  Therefore, from 14 May onwards, there will be 12 fewer parking spaces available than there are at present.  This apart, the car park will remain available for use as normal.

To try to prevent the proposed work from being delayed because of nesting birds, a net has recently been draped over the wall to prevent birds from accessing it.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member, said:

“We appreciate that this work may cause some inconvenience, and all involved will do all that they can to keep this to a minimum and complete the work as soon as possible.”

Rosanna Taylor-Smith, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, said:

“I am pleased that this vital refurbishment work is starting this week.  Visitors to Ludlow will be able to use the car park as normal whilst the contractors are working and I hope the completion date will be earlier than planned.”