Heavy lorries clog up our town

DAY after day shoppers look on in disbelief as giant trucks ignore the sign saying “unsuitable for HGVs” and proceed to clog the Teme Bridge and cause mayhem in the high street. It seems beyond belief that the council has allowed the situation to continue year in, year out without any steps being taken to tackle the problem. It has been suggested that the A4112 through Tenbury should be down-graded to a B road (as it originally was) which would encourage HGVs to by-pass our town and take the A456/A49 route to Leominster. This would no doubt make a significant difference and the Highway Authority should take note, although some would argue that lorries navigating by satnav would still be directed through Tenbury.

In the meantime, especially with public works about to start soon, traffic congestion could be eased considerably if parking outside Barclays in Teme Street and opposite the toilets in Market Street was no longer allowed, and the pay-and-display car park became free. It just doesn’t make sense that 16 cars can cause so much congestion by narrowing the width of the high street when 72 parking places remain only partially occupied. Apart from the fact that parking restrictions have now been introduced, it’s time the council accepted that shoppers are reluctant to pay an extra 50p every time they come into town to buy a newspaper or a packet of peas. Abolishing the pay-and-display would make a huge difference to the life of our town and would also reduce the problem soon to be caused by the closure of the cattle market. No-one has yet come up with any ‘concrete’ suggestions as to where the 60 vehicles that regularly park there will be accommodated.

NORMAN WANSTALL

Boraston Drive

Burford

 

The joys of volunteering

ALMOST two years ago I read an article about Beanstalk. Having then recently retired, it not only caught my interest but I immediately felt it was something I would like to be involved with.

The few hours a week that I give to Beanstalk have not only become an important part of my life, but a source of joy. I would really like to share that joy with you. If you have the time, love books and enjoy working with children, read on. Beanstalk volunteers throughout the country are experiencing the joy of seeing boys and girls grow in confidence, blossom as they learn not only to read fluently but also to discover the magical world of books.

Beanstalk, the charity previously known as Volunteer Reading Help, has been working with children for over 40 years.

The initial half-day training courses are a great preparation for going into a school. The children and the schools need your help.

The Beanstalk Shropshire office is situated in Wellington and the Three As (Alison, Anita and Adelle) can be contacted on 01952 567846.

Please do ring them if you are interested – help is needed throughout South Shropshire, at present particularly Cleobury.

PATRICIA SIBCY

Livesey Road

Ludlow