A NEW date has been set for the reopening of Ludford Bridge and it is an inauspicious one for the superstitious.

The new date set by engineers is Friday, May 13.

It is a blow for the town and a setback from the original date that was set for the end of April.

Initially, Shropshire Council had suggested that it would be ‘at least three’ weeks before the main route into Ludlow from the south was back in use.

Completing the stonework up to the parapet is followed by the putting down of coping stones and this will happen after the scaffolding has been removed.

Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow on Shropshire Council, said he is not surprised by how long the repair to the bridge has taken.

“Shropshire Council spoke initially of “at least three weeks” though I have always thought it would take three months. And so it has proved,” he said

“That three month closure has increased traffic congestion and hurt trade in the town.

“I’m not superstitious, so I don’t think that Friday the 13th is bad luck. Anyway, it the latest predicted date for the reopening of Ludford Bridge after it was hit by a reversing tarmac truck nearly ten weeks ago.”

He had called for additional money to be spent to speed up the work.

Ludlow Chamber of Trade has described the bridge closure as a disaster for the town.