Pictured above: (l-r) Nick Skidmore and Matt Breakwell (both Cornbrook Construction)

There was good news for traders and shoppers in Ludlow today when Shropshire Council confirmed that firms undertaking the King Street repair works will be finished by late March allowing the road to be re-opened.

Cornbrook Construction completed final investigation work over the weekend and, although the building decay was found to be more widespread than first thought, the Cleobury-based firm has vowed to put even more workers on the project to get it finished as soon as possible.

Staff will work seven days a week to clear out the rotten timbers at the front of the listed-property and replace it with masonry which has been approved by the local conservation officer.

This approach, combined with structural steels and engineered steel ties for added support, will ensure that the building is structurally safe and returned to its original condition to last for another two to three hundred years.

Matt Breakwell, Managing Director of Cornbrook, commented:

"This has been an extremely complicated project and we've worked with Shropshire Council Building Control and conservation officers throughout to secure a permanent solution whilst protecting the building's original Georgian features.

"All of the investigations have now finished and we have a clear approach to making the property safe. We've put more craftsmen on the job and are working extended hours, which I'm pleased to say should result in the works being completed by late March."

He concluded: "Along with various other builders, we're also completing much-needed repair works to shop frontages in King Street at the same time, so we can hopefully avoid future road closures for local people and businesses."