Ledbury traders continue call for Council U-turn on parking plans.

5.48.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Oct 2009

Ledbury traders stop traffic with their protest to protect town car parking.

Local Ledbury traders have pledged to keep fighting to preserve town parking spaces after being told that Herefordshire Council will consider plans for alternative parking. Paul Nicholas, assistant director of environment and culture, had promised to work with town councillors and business owners to find an acceptable solution, but many remain unconvinced that real efforts will be made to maintain current parking provision as no work had been done on identifying alternative sites until the traders began their protest.

Chair of 'Traders of Ledbury Association' (TOLA) Annette Crowe and fellow shop owners have already built up a petition of over 2,300 signatures calling for action and briefly used its huge length to stop traffic on Ledbury High Street in protest.

Parliamentary Candidate Lucy Hurds and North Herefordshire Liberal Democrats have lent their help to the campaign by pursuing answers from Councillors and Council officers, alongside producing and delivering campaign leaflets and posters. Mrs Hurds said that "the traders have legitimate concerns about the parking problems this scheme will cause. The permanent loss of 58 parking spaces plus the additional car park space loss during building works would have a major effect on trade in Ledbury, unless these problems are acknowledged and dealt with prior to any development. The independent traders have helped Ledbury to remain a thriving town during this recession and they now need our support to continue the good work."

Over 2,300 people have given their support to the Ledbury businesses fighting to save St. Katherine's car park.

Plans for the new library are set to be officially presented to Herefordshire Councils Planning department this month, after which they will go through Herefordshire Council's planning process. The Ledbury traders are promising further action if their concerns are ignored by Herefordshire Council and have vowed not to give up the fight.