A PROPOSED referendum in Tenbury about the Tesco planning application has been dropped.

Tenbury Town Council had considered holding a vote to give people a say in whether the supermarket giant should be allowed to build a store on the former cattle market site.

But the council has now decided to hold its own survey of traders in the town.

Dawn Worgan, Tenbury town clerk, said the referendum idea had been dropped because of the cost and concerns a low turnout would fail to deliver a mandate.

The Tesco planning application will be considered at a special meeting of Tenbury Town Council on Monday September 26 at 7pm in the Pump Rooms.

After the meeting the town council will make a recommendation to Malvern Hills planners who will make a decision at a special meeting to be held at Tenbury High School in October.

􀁧 Meanwhile, Tenbury MP Harriett Baldwin has written to Worcestershire County Council urging it to repair the bridge into the town as quickly as possible.

The MP has been contacted by local residents and businesses who are concerned about the complete closure of the bridge for repairs, starting in January.

Teme Bridge, which was built in 1390, is due for repair works and is expected to be shut in both directions for up to two months.

But Harriett Baldwin has written to the county council’s chief executive Trish Haines urging her to try to ensure that contractors pay particular attention to minimizing the length of closures.

“Tenbury is a such an important hub for my constituents in the Teme Valley and the bridge brings in customers to the fine range of local, independent shops,” said Harriett Baldwin.

“I hope the county council’s contractors will take into account the likely impact on the local economy and conceive a plan to work very quickly through all weathers.”