A PACKED Market House in Ledbury on Thursday evening (August 16) heard both members of the public and town councillors raise serious concerns about plans to substantially alter the layout of the town centre.

The proposals from Herefordshire Council contractor, Balfour Beatty, could create a square around the Market House, narrow carriageways, reduced the number of parking bays and make Bye Street one way, with a contra-flow system for cyclists.

On several occasions, worries were expressed that Ledbury would end up looking less like a medieval town and more like Milton Keynes, a relatively modern town.

Concerns were also raised about the level of consultation, even among groups formally identified as "stakeholders", including the Ledbury Traders' Association and Ledbury Town Council.

Ledbury businessman, Louis Calleja of John Nash Antiques in the High Street said he was never consulted over the idea to remove parking bays near his shop.

He said: "They say they consult, but they consult with the wrong people.

"All my customers could be fined."

Expressing worries over deliveries, Mr Calleja said: "Even a van would not be allowed."

Homend trader and former mayor, Cllr Annette Crowe, the chairman of the Ledbury Traders' Association said of a key consultation meeting, which no members of the association actually attended: "I presume the meeting was during the day. That's why there was no trader representation."

But she said the Ledbury Traders' Association would now formally submit a response.

A member of the public said of the proposals: "The scheme would turn Ledbury into a boulevard. If I'd wanted to live in Milton Keynes, I would have moved to Milton Keynes."

Cllr Tony Bradford said it would be "an absolute disaster" to try and modernise the town, and if pavements need to be improved, natural materials such as stone should be used, "the materials we've used for hundreds of years".

Former mayor, Cllr Keith Francis said: "As far as I know, we at the town council have not been consulted at all."

He suggested that a representative from Balfour Beatty should come and talk to the Town Council as soon as possible.

The chairman of Ledbury Town Council, Cllr Nina Shields, agreed that this could happen.

Concerning altering the layout of the High Street, The town council voted to seek more information, more options and to oppose any reduction on car parking spaces.

The council also voted to reject the idea of making Bye Street one way.

Cllr Andrew Warmington said: "Obviously there are serious public concerns about this."

Cllr Matthew Eakin said the idea should be opposed on the grounds of the congestion it would cause to side roads, that it would create circular routes for drivers, for the impact it would have on local businesses, and for the hazard it would cause for cyclists, due to a contra-flow system.

At several points in the meeting, Cllr Shields, as chairman stressed that none of the proposals from Balfour Beatty were set in stone, but had been presented as a review of possibilities.

She said: "Nothing has been decided. It's a draft scheme.

"I can't stress too much, this is part of a consultation process. They are considering options."