LONG-overdue measures to protect an historic Ledbury building have been welcomed by its landlord.

Bride of Ledbury, which sits on the junction of New Street and the Southend, was left perilously close to collapse earlier this year after a turning bus wrenched away one of its 16th century support timbers.

New Street was closed to motorists amid fears the building, which incorporates a pedestrian walkway underneath, could come crashing down into the road.

Landlord Richard Thorogood said Herefordshire Council had now agreed to install traffic calming measures - despite initially asking him to pay half.

He said: “This is what I have been saying for four years. They will take the kerbing stone out to be in line with the top of the building, because it leans over the road. They will also put bollards in so vehicles hit them before they hit the building.”

Store owner Alison Taylor said: “Hopefully it will all work. The road’s being put to the test at the moment with the Big Chill Festival taking place at Eastnor. There’s a lot of heavy duty lorries going through here.”

Mrs Taylor said the building was now back to its old self after the collision, which took place on Sunday, June 6.

Signs leading up to the junction, along New Street, notify drivers of a length restriction on turning either left or right but Mr Thorogood said these were regularly ignored.

Herefordshire ward councillor for Ledbury Peter Watts called the measures a “good idea” but said only time would tell whether they solved the problem completely.

“I still think it’s about HGVs not obeying the signs. Buildings like this need to be protected. They’re part of our heritage in Ledbury,” he said.

Spokesman for Herefordshire Council, John Burnett, said: “The council has sent details of the proposals to its local councillors and also Ledbury Town Council and is currently awaiting their response.”