Groups welcome jam-busting plan
Monday 9th March 2009, 10:30AM GMT.
Business and community groups in Shrewsbury have welcomed ambitious £2.5 million plans to transform the west end of Shrewsbury and help ease traffic problems in the area.
Artists’ impressions of a new gyratory system and improved and widened footpaths as well as a combined St Austin’s Street and Bridge Street car park were unveiled on Saturday.
Today Karen Lloyd, of the Shrewsbury Civic Society, said the group supported the scheme.
She said: “We have had a lot of input into the scheme and 90 per cent of our recommendations were taken on board.
“It is a particularly awkward junction and the lights do not seem to work in conjunction with each other as well as they should.
It does require some tinkering with. We are in favour of that area being more built-up.”
The transformation of the area has been on the cards for more than five years, but could now become a reality if funding can be secured and the scheme wins approval.
Simon Airey, chairman of the Shrewsbury Business Chamber, was one of the founders of the West End Regeneration Group.
He welcomed the new plans because it increased the number of car parking spaces in the town.
Mr Airey said one of the aims of the West End Regeneration Group had been the retention of spaces for shoppers.
“Because of the situation with the Sixth Form College now not moving out of town, the Tannery car park will be developed in the medium term so we will lose a car park,” he added.
“We have always been aware of that – we are very keen to join St Austin’s and Bridge Street as that will give in the short term a net increase in car parking spaces.
“We were concerned with the move to unitary it would get lost in the change over.
“It is very positive – anything that means people are dropped off by coach or bus in the West End is wonderful for places like Mardol. It is crucial for footfall.”
A meeting to show a 3D model of the proposals will take place on Thursday before members of the public can see the full scheme on Friday.
By Rebecca Lawrence
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its great that this is happening because it will smooth traffic flows thus reducing toxic exhaust fumes which are breeching EU health guidance on the streets of shrewsbury, we deserve cleaner air not like in London where Boris Johnson and his anti clean air pro car policies mean that millions in the national capital live with toxic fumes in their homes and the EU may sue him for his anti green popularist sillyness
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definately good in a credit crunch to have so much money spent on the town, esnsure we use local contractors so the money recirculates please
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excellent
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nice to see some positive news in this recession, well done all , this will be great news for the whole area
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lets hope it works, to be fair since the recssion the shrewsbury congestion problem has gone away anyhow
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i hope they keep the aesthetics right for a medieval town and do some soft landscaping and use light coloured stone or gravel not tar mac
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