TWO Herefordshire councillors have outlined different and controversial visions for the future of traffic management in Ledbury.

Marcle Ridge councillor Don Rule has suggested pedestrianising the whole of the town centre while Barry Ashton, councillor for Ledbury, has called for the completion of the town's northern bypass.

Both spoke out at a full meeting of Ledbury Town Council, when traffic management was discussed. They agreed that Ledbury, with its listed buildings and narrow roads, could not be substantially altered to accommodate more cars and lorries.

Coun Rule said: "One of the lovely things we could do is surely to look at making the whole of the centre of town a pedestrian precinct."

But town councillor Spencer Lane reacted with dismay to the suggestion.

He said: "This is a crossroads town. Don't keep the traffic out, otherwise we'll be living in an empty town."

Coun Ashton, who said he was "voice in the wilderness", called again for the completion of Ledbury's northern bypass, to solve the town's growing traffic congestion.

Coun Ashton said it would prevent both Knapp Lane and Worc-ester Road being used as short cuts and rat runs by motorists.

Speaking after the meeting, he said he planned to raise a petition in the New Year, to put pressure on Herefordshire Council for the bypass.