Motorists in Shrewsbury faced traffic chaos at rush-hour this morning as work began on a town centre road.
Work to complete the town’s regeneration project began today with the busy Dogpole area closed until May 31.
Castle Street and St Mary’s Street, approaching Dogpole, were also closed to through traffic meaning the stretch of road was closed from the railway station to its junction with Wyle Cop.
Traffic built up on roads around the town centre, causing delays, particularly on Castle Foregate and Telford Way.
One driver, who was stuck in traffic but did not want to be named, said: “It’s awful, especially in rush-hour.
“It was queuing right up from the town centre all the way to Heathgates Island and as far back as Monkmoor.”
County council bosses apologised.
Jeremy Salisbury, county council principal engineer, said: “There have been long queues but they weren’t unexpected.
“The traffic management is doing very well. We expect the queues to reduce once people have become aware and used to the new system and that will hopefully allow us to reduce traffic in the town centre as a trial.”
The work is part of phase three of the town centre enhancement scheme and include work to improve the pavements and introduce pedestrian facilities. Access will be maintained along the route for essential traffic.
2 Comments
I cannot believe there aren’t any comments on this story! Maybe because people are stuck in traffic and can’t get to their computers? The entire town has been gridlocked since this mornings rush hour. Apparently this is due to go on for 8 weeks. It’s totally ridiculous. Businesses are bound to suffer and access for emergency vehicles into the town centre is virtually impossible because there is nowhere for the cars to move to. Are you all asleep in Shrewsbury? I can’t be the only one outraged by this farce surely!
As “confused” said, this is a farce. Unless there’s only one man on the job, it can’t possibly take 8 weeks! There must be another agenda here; perhaps a scheme to force people from the town centre or a drive to make people accept congestion charging. Those running Shrewsbury certainly care little for the people providing the excessive council taxes; they should be ashamed.