THREE men met on a grassed area by the side of the A49 north of Ludlow to discuss how to keep heavy goods vehicles away from the other end of town.

They stood near where northbound traffic joins the trunk road from the Burway Trading Estate and Bromfield Road.

South Shropshire District Councillor Peter Corston and Ludlow MP Matthew Green gave local Highways Agency officer Dennis Wheeler details of their new plan.

The idea is to prevent southbound HGVs going down congested Old Street from the town centre and across Ludford Bridge.

Instead heavy traffic will exit Ludlow to the north as if it was going to Craven Arms and, through minor changes to the existing junction, switch to the southbound carriageway towards Leominster.

Matthew Green explained: "There would be no need for a roundabout, which many people have suggested but which could cost £750,00.

"Currently, HGVs wishing to travel south from Ludlow on the A49 have no choice but to travel through the town.

"There are other exits to the east but they can't reach the two roundabouts on the A49 because of low railway bridges."

Costings are now being sought for a feasibility study.

The scheme could relieve pressure along the main route through the town centre and include a 7.5 tonne weight limit on Ludford Bridge, which already takes a pounding from heavy traffic.