PUBLIC resistance to plans for further "enhancement" in Ludlow appear to be gathering momentum.

Ludlow Civic Society has added its voice to a growing public clamour for Shropshire County Council not to interfere with traffic flow or make life more difficult for wheelchair users.

Ludlow Town Council is already considering representations from Gravel Hill resident Ian Leslie calling for the "strongest possible" objections.

Now, the Civic Society has backed Mr Leslie's request to county council head of transportation Rob Surl to conduct a trial before introducing traffic lights at the Bull Ring, a proposal criticised in the town.

The protests follow an outcry over plans to extend cobbling and other "enhanced" road surfacing to the area of the Bull Ring. Complaints have been made of elderly people tripping on curbs and bumpy rides for wheelchairs.

In a letter to Mr Surl, Ludlow Civic Society chairman James McFarlane has given a warning: "We think you are at serious risk of wasting a great deal of money, time, patience and goodwill if you insist on proceeding with the Bull Ring Enhancement without experiment."

He also queried a claim by the department that the majority of people in a recent consultation exercise in the town favoured the scheme.

Mr McFarlane said: "I can only say I have not yet encountered any such person. All those who have thought about the scheme... have grave misgivings."

He believed if traffic lights were installed, vehicles would move faster, putting pedestrians in danger.

Christopher Jeffery, of Foldgate House, Steventon, and Bill Eastwell, of Julian Road, have also made known their view thst there is no history of accidents or difficulty in crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing at the Bull Ring because of the natural slow movement of traffic.

In a letter to Ludlow county councillor Peter Corston, Mr Eastwell described traffic lights as "a menace".

Mr Mr Jeffery said traffic flow would be "strangled" by traffic lights.