AN iconic feature of Ludlow is under threat and urgent action is needed according to the town’s civic society.

The town’s characteristic cobbled streets are falling into disrepair.

But the problem is that in many cases it is unclear who is responsible both for the damage to the streets and also where the responsibility for repairing them sits.

A survey has been undertaken by Ludlow Civic Society that has found that the town has 12 cobbled streets with the cobbles covering more than 50,000 square metres.

They estimate that about 10 per cent of the damage to the streets has been caused by work undertaken by various agencies, including the utilities.

But the majority of the damage is a result of a combination of ‘wear and tear', neglect and the passage of time.

However, the challenge has been to determine how to improve the streets before the damage gets too bad.

A major concern of the civic society is that the cobbled streets would get to such a bad state that a decision would be made to rip them up and replace them with tarmac.

A scheme was developed involving some funding from the major utilities. But, in addition, an attempt was made to get grants to fund the employment of two specialist ‘pavers’ working for Treasures of Ludlow.

There was also a trial site identified for the work.

However, the bid for funding was unsuccessful and so a new approach was needed.

“Finding funding is proving extremely difficult and despite silence and denial of their obligations, the legal responsibility for the public areas rests with the council,” said Tony Mahalski of Ludlow Civic Society.

The Civic Society contacted Shropshire Council and was told that a major issue would be the cost of repairing the cobbles but it was agreed to have a meeting.

But now there appears to have been a breakthrough following a meeting held in the Blue Boar in Ludlow.

This involved members of the committee of Ludlow Civic Society, Andy Boddington, who sits on Shropshire Council for Ludlow North, Ben Williscroft, conservation officer, Andrew Keyland, highways officer and Tim Gill, a member of Ludlow Town Council.

Tony Mahalski said that common purpose has been achieved with all parties keen to preserve and restore Ludlow’s cobbled streets. It is hoped that this work in Ludlow can become a flagship scheme that can be copied in other towns in the country where cobbled streets are under threat.

“Funding and grants are being investigated and include an apprentice scheme that the utilities would take advantage of and include the provision of one or two trained cobblers in future tendering,” Tony Mahalski said.

“The council has now identified powers that will control and even penalise incorrect repairs or damage and it is hoped that a more robust approach will reverse the damage.”

In early 2017, Ludlow Civic Society will be sending information to people living in cobbled areas in the town.