A CLAIM that a large majority of residents are opposed to having cattle grids at Stonehall Common, Kempsey, has been quashed by the chairman of the parish council.

One resident, Alan Lord, has asked the council to drop the matter, in view of the large number of objections.

But chairman Joy Clee said there had been only nine letters of objection from the 60 residents and registered graziers of Stonehall Common who were invited to comment on the proposal to install two cattle grids.

"We sent out 60 letters with stamped, addressed envelopes and pointed out that if they did not reply we would assume they had no preference," she said.

"Thirty replied and out of these there were nine objections, two expressed no preference, 18 supported the idea and one asked for a public meeting.

"We presume the other 30 didn't object because they didn't answer."

All the objections had been referred to Alan Dufty, of Malvern Hills Highways Partnership, who was seeking legal advice to see whether some aspects could be resolved, she said.

In a letter to the council, Mr Lord had asked for further information from council records.

Mrs Clee suggested he should visit the council office, where he would be welcome to inspect the minutes of past meetings.