Shropshire Star

The proposed relief road to ease traffic congestion in Bridgnorth town centre could lead to shops closing unless extra car parking spaces can be found, business leaders have warned.

The warning was made by the chairman of the town’s chamber of commerce, Wayne Vernon, who said people could be put off visiting the town because of the problem.

Mr Vernon, manager of Liage Opticians, in High Street, said despite assurances that no spaces will go when the road is built, car parking will be reduced because existing long-term places will be swallowed up to provide parking at a new DIY superstore.

The road is being built by supermarket giant Sainsbury’s as part of a redevelopment scheme in Smithfield.

The retailer has been given planning permission to extend its existing store and build a DIY retail warehouse and garden centre in return for agreeing to build the relief road.

Work on the relief road is due to start later this month and is expected to take 20 weeks.

It is hoped the road will ease congestion at the junction of Whitburn Street and High Street by diverting traffic across the Smithfield site.

Although only eight spaces will officially be lost as part of the redevelopment, Mr Vernon said he was still concerned about the repercussions.

“We keep getting told that no spaces will be lost, but that’s ludicrous,” he said.

“The half of the Smithfield site which is now the council car park will become a DIY store and people won’t be able to park long-term on there. People working in the town park their cars there during the week and it only costs £2.50.”