Call to delay £1.6m plan

Fed-up traders in Shrewsbury could be given a reprieve after a leading borough councillor called for a £1.6 million scheme to transform Pride Hill to be delayed.

Work on a facelift for the county town’s main shopping street could start in September but Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council deputy David Roberts said traders needed a break from continuous building works.

He said: “Is it really a good idea to start doing Pride Hill in September when the town centre has been through so much? I think it would be better if the work can be delayed.”

A report, which the cabinet will consider on Monday, says it is important the Pride Hill project can “progress as soon as possible”.

There are two options - to start the work in September and complete half before November and then continue in March or start the Pride Hill works at the same time as the West End regeneration project in March 2009.

But Mr Roberts said it was too much for traders who have faced an eight-week closure of Dogpole.

Businesses claim they are suffering because of the road works, which are due to finish at the end of May, and a recession.

Mr Roberts is also calling for a petition with 4,000 signatures, calling for free Sunday parking in Shrewsbury town centre, to be discussed by councillors.

The petition has been put together by the Darwin and Pride Hill shopping centres along with the Shrewsbury Business Chamber.

Mr Roberts said: “There’s a lot of anger in the town centre due to the roadworks having a disruptive affect on shops, which is not good.

“There’s a number of things I’m thinking of putting forward to improve the town centre. Maybe we can offer free parking for a day or two after the roadworks have finished to encourage people back.”

Simon Airey, from the chamber, said: “Any concessions the borough council can make with regards to parking would be good for business.”

By Rebecca Lawrence