Scaffolding safety fears close Shrewsbury passageway
Monday 20th September 2010, 11:29AM BST.
A Shrewsbury passageway is to be closed overnight for six months following reports of youths putting their lives at risk by climbing scaffolding.
Coffee House Passage is a pedestrian shut which runs from Market Street to College Hill near to the Music Hall.
It will be closed from 5pm to 7am from September 27 for about half a year while work is being carried out to restore the Music Hall.
Access will be maintained for residents at all times and an alternative route will be available via Market Street, Swan Hill, College Hill and vice versa.
Councillor Dr Maxwell Winchester, who represents the Quarry and Coton Hill ward on Shropshire Council, said: “It’s a shame we have to resort to these measures but if people can’t behave it’s the best solution to stop someone falling and killing themselves.
“It’s only a temporary closure but it’s one we have to have.”
Gary Parton, co-ordination manager for Shropshire Council’s highways department, said: “The passageway is a cut-through to the Music Hall. There is scaffolding up there at the moment while work is carried out on the Music Hall.
“There has been a problem with youths at night climbing the scaffolding so the closure has been put in place following complaints from residents. The closure is for safety reasons.”
In May long-awaited plans for the redevelopment of the Music Hall, including a heritage visitor centre, moved a step closer after construction firm ISG said it had been awarded a contract, believed to be worth about £5.5 million, to create the centre.
Restoration has already been taking place as part of the £10 million pound project and the centre is due to open in November 2011.
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