LEDBURY'S Knapp Lane has re-opened to traffic, months ahead of schedule, and the contractor says it’s all down to the warmer weather.

The re-opening of the popular “rat-run” between the Worcester Road and the Homend last week has also come as a breath of relief for Bank Crescent residents who say they have got their quiet street back, after it was used as a detour for seven months.

The lane had been closed since Autumn after cracks appeared in the wall at the junction.

Now the wall has been repaired and supported by metal mesh, three months earlier than expected.

Resident Gary Wilson said: “I awoke on Sunday and I couldn’t hear a single car going by for the first time in months and I’ve been able to clean my car in the street.

Mr Wilson’s parked car was “smashed into” by a passing motorist in March, and his wife’s car was scraped by another car.

He said residents had also suffered verbal abuse when challenging motorists who were thought to be travelling too quickly through Bank Crescent.

Calls are growing for a barrier to be installed to protect the newly-repaired Knapp Lane/ Homend junction wall from traffic, and to make sure the junction does not have to be closed again.

Contractor Bruce Elston said of the early finish: “Sometimes you get a bit of luck, and I think the weather helped us.”

He said that, in worse conditions, “water could have been coursing down” while the soil behind the damaged wall was removed. As it was, the men could work quickly.

He said: “The wall’s good for another 100 years, so long as no-one hits it.”

Mr Elston suggested a barrier should not be installed, to protect the wall and its metal mesh cage. Mr Wilson believes bollards might be the answer, to keep vehicles away from the wall.

One of Ledbury's county councillors Peter Watts said he would discuss the proposals with county officers.