A FORMER Ludlow Town Councillor is recovering from heart surgery after being taken ill just before Christmas.

Tony Mahalski, has resigned from the town council on medical advice, and says it will be several months before he is recovered.

In his resignation letter, Mr Mahalski has fired a warning shot expressing his concern about the long-standing failure to sort out the problem of Ludlow’s historic town walls.

He spent Christmas in hospital but is now back home at the start of a recovery that he says will take three to four months.

In his letter of resignation sent to Tim Gill, Mayor of Ludlow, he expressed disappointment that more has not been done.

He is unhappy about what he sees as a failure to get things done, apply the planning regulations properly and sort the issue of the crumbling town walls.

“I have decided on extensive medical advice to resign as joint member of Clee View Ward, therefore all of the responsibilities and committees of the Ludlow Town Council effective forthwith.

“On the whole I had wanted to accomplish more, but in the arena of joint responsibility any entrepreneurial spirit is soon stifled by seemingly obfuscation or the ability not to get things done.

“There have been two major disappointments, namely the town wall and the failure to get Shropshire to comply with listed building regulations.”

Mr Mahaski is a businessman who came to Ludlow from London and has been actively involved in the life of the town.

As well as being a town councillor he has been secretary of the civic society and treasurer of the Friends of Ludlow Museum. He says that when his health is restored, he hopes to resume this work.

Mr Mahalski, who lives in Mill Street, is often seen walking his dogs in the town and was involved in the restoration of the water fountain outside the castle.

His letter to the mayor sets out his concerns that there has not been more action on the town walls.

“It is scandalous some eight or nine years after the event we are no nearer getting closure on this catastrophe. Even after we have raised and spent £38,000 on consultancy.”

Ludlow’s town walls have been a serious problem for many years and the cost of repairs would run into millions of pounds. Because the wall is a listed ancient monument there are strict rules about how repairs have to be undertaken and the materials that can be used.