Delays likely as repairs start

Motorists driving through a Shropshire town are being warned that they can expect to face a month of delays after long-awaited roadworks got under way at a busy junction today.

Work to improve the A458 junction near the Gaskell Arms in Much Wenlock began this morning.

The work includes widening the car park access to the Gaskell Arms, kerb realignment, resurfacing of the road and improvements to the pedestrian refuge. It is expected to take about four weeks.

Highways chiefs today said the improvements would be carried out under traffic light control with allowed to travel one way only, into town along High Street, to keep disruption to a minimum. Work will be carried out between 9.30am and 4pm.

Controversy has reigned over the project to improve safety on the corner since work there last year.

But town leaders have said they hope the latest round of road works will finally end the misery for traders and motorists.

The project was initially scheduled to be carried out in June but businesses objected saying it would hit summer trade.

Engineers have had to redesign the junction because pedestrian islands installed in 2006 are too big and lorries find them difficult to negotiate.

John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “This work has been scheduled at this to time to ensure as little disruption to local businesses and residents as possible.”