A ROAD safety scheme outside a Ludlow school has been delayed.

But it is not all bad news as improvements will be made in a part of the town that has been subject to frequent flooding.

“It’s frustrating but there is not much we can do about it.”

That’s the message from Tracey Huffer, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow East after an essential road safety scheme outside Ludlow Primary School on Sandpits Road has been delayed.

The delay is likely to last several months but there is some good news.

“Councillors and school governors have been pressing for a road safety scheme outside Ludlow Primary School for years,” said Mrs Huffer.

Earlier in the year it had looked as if progress was being made.

“In the spring we agreed with Shropshire Council that a raised platform would be put in place outside the school to slow traffic down,” said Mrs Huffer.

“White and yellow lines would be refreshed and the uneven pavement outside the newly built Beech Gardens would be levelled up.”

The work was due to take place in September or October this year before the arrival of winter and the short hours of daylight.

“This vital project has now been delayed by several months by the Severn Trent Water Ludlow Whitefriars Flood Alleviation scheme,” Mrs Huffer added.

“There have been frequent problems with flooding in the bungalows in Whitefriars near the school for a while.

“Severn Trent Water must sort this out. That means putting in new surface and foul water systems along 340 metres of Sandpits Road, including outside the school. Electricity cables and gas pipes will have to be moved at the same time to allow the work.

“If the road safety scheme had been completed on the planned timetable, it would now have to be dug up and reinstated, so it is better delayed until the utilities work is complete. No dates have yet been given but we expect the work to be complete by summer 2020.

“There are yellow zig zags outside the school to discourage people parking by the school gates. But these lines are not legally enforceable. I will be asking Shropshire Council to put in place a traffic order at the same time the safety scheme is installed to ensure that parking in this zone is an offence.

“Severn Trent Water has agreed to build the raised plateau as part of their work on Sandpits Road. That will reduce disruption outside the school.”