AN online poll has been launched to test opinion about the suggested that a multi-storey car park is built in Ludlow.

It follows a call from Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Trade, who said that a multi-storey car park needed to be considered.

Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North, has set up a vote on his blog in a bid to test opinion but he has reservations about the idea.

“The only practical place for a multi-storey is on the car park behind the Library, Upper Galdeford,” said Andy Boddington.

“A multi-storey at this location would take advantage of the contours of the land. If it was one-storey high – two parking decks – an extra 220 spaces could be created.

“That would increase the capacity of the Upper Galdeford car park from 329 spaces to an estimated 551 spaces. Overall, off-road parking in the town would increase from 581 spaces to around 800 spaces, an increase of nearly 40 per cent.

“Adding a third deck could provide another 240 spaces.”

But Andy Boddington is concerned that a multi-storey car park would be ugly and damage the appearance of Ludlow.

“We have constant complaints about the lack of car-parking in the town centre,” he added.

“Not just from visitors but also those doing their daily shopping at our independent shops and supermarkets.

“It is very hard to make a car park beautiful.

“Multi-storey car parks are notoriously ugly and unloved. This does not have to be the case in Ludlow.

“Should this idea come to fruition, we should aim to swaddle the building in flowers and greenery. It should be our very own “Hanging Gardens of Ludlow.

“Any scheme should improve the Upper Galdeford and Station Drive area, not detract from it. I would not support an ugly building, no matter what the economic benefits would be for the town.”

Andy Boddington believes that people need to be aware of the problems as well as the benefits that a multi-storey car park would bring.

“There could be significant disadvantages to this scheme,” he added.

“A two-deck car park will generate perhaps an extra 500-600 vehicle movements a day. That will increase traffic pressure on the Galdeford corner and the One Stop junction in East Hamlet, as well as along Gravel Hill.

“A multi-storey car park will promote car traffic and until we go all electric, generate more toxic air.

“Shouldn’t we be promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives? Would it not be better to invest in better park and ride facilities and services?”