A major traffic problem that has blighted a north Shropshire village could be improved if funding is given the go-ahead for major development work on a road, it was claimed today.

Long delays at the lights on the A53 through Shawbury at peak times sometimes see traffic stretching back three-quarters of a mile.

Shawbury Parish Council has received a number of complaints from frustrated motorists.

It has spent about two years campaigning for improvements.

Parish clerk Jack Wilson said: “Following meetings between councillors and representatives of Shropshire Council’s highways department, we are pleased to report that they have agreed to take action to improve the traffic flow by carrying out some major development work during the coming year.

“The problem is when the lights are on red facing towards Market Drayton.”

Dave Gradwell, Shropshire Council’s traffic engineer, said: “Modelling for this junction has been completed and this has shown that it is possible to improve the efficiency of the traffic signals at this junction.

“An improvement scheme will be put forward for consideration as part of the next financial year’s works programme.”

Proposals for a crossing on the same stretch of road have, however, proved unsuccessful. Mr Wilson said: “It appears that this does not rate as a high enough priority and it seems that unless there is a serious accident, we are unlikely to get a crossing.”