MOTORISTS FACED traffic chaos today after a lorry shed its load of timber of one of Shropshire’s busiest roads causing lengthy delays.

The A5, between the Preston and Emstrey islands just outside of Shrewsbury, was blocked for more than three hours at rush-hour this morning because of the problem.

Motorists were left complaining they had missed meetings or were late for work while some gave up on their journeys altogether.

The road was completely closed in the westbound direction following the incident just after 5.35am, but part of it was later reopened while emergency services worked at the scene.

The incident involved one vehicle – an articulated lorry which had shed its load – and the problem caused snarl-ups around the town.

James Stuart, of Berwick Grange, Shrewsbury, was among those caught up in the chaos.

He said: “It took me 50 minutes to get from my home to Abbey Foregate this morning. It was gridlocked in every direction.

“I tried numerous ways and everywhere was just as bad. A journey that takes me about 10 minutes ending up taking nearly an hour.”

Richard Ewels, a spokesman for West Mercia Police, confirmed the incident had “caused considerable congestion in and around the town this morning” and said the road reopened at 8.55am.

He said: “Police were notified just after 5.35am today. It was a lorry that had shed a large load of timber. The lorry is a Scania articulated vehicle and it was parked on the hard shoulder but its timber load had gone onto the carriageway.”

Mr Ewels said another lorry was sent for the timber to be transferred on to and diversions were set up.

A spokesman for Amey Mouchel, the highways contractors, said both lanes of the carriageway westbound between the two traffic islands had been shut following the incident.

Meanwhile, two cars were in collision at the traffic lights in Watling Street in Wellington at 7.15am today. Council workers were called to clear the road of fuel. Both drivers escaped serious injuries.

A bus also broke down this morning at Meole Brace, Shrewsbury. Passengers were transfered to another vehicle.

By Russell Roberts