A BAN HAS been slapped on lengthy roadworks in parts of Shropshire over the festive period in a bid by council chiefs to keep traders’ tills jingling over Christmas.

The move by both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council – which rules any roadworks lasting two months or longer cannot start until the New Year – was today widely welcomed.

The policy is designed to eradicate the impact of roadworks on seasonal trading, especially in busy town centres.

Gary Parton, co-ordination manager at Shropshire Council, said: “We do have a Christmas embargo for town centre and busy routes to prevent disruption to traffic during the busy Christmas period.”

Similarly, Councillor Adrian Lawrence, cabinet member for environment at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “The council stops any programmed works on key town centre roads across the borough in the four weeks before Christmas and the three weeks after to help ensure that any disruption to businesses is minimised during this key period.”

Dave Riley, from Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, said traders across the county would welcome the move.

“I am very pleased that both councils are taking this initiative,” he said.

“This is a critical time of year for many traders and, if it will ease congestion, then it is most certainly welcome.

“We are in this together so if the local authorities can do something to make it easier for the travelling public then we welcome it.”

John Hall, chairman of Shop In The Loop in Shrewsbury, which represents 700 traders, said: “This is absolutely brilliant news. The roadworks at the bottom of Wyle Cop have definitely had an effect these last few weeks. It has been quiet in town because people can’t be bothered when it’s difficult to get in.

“Many thanks to the councils. Christmas is a critical time for us and this will be a huge help. It’s fantastic.”

Councillor Lawrence said a similar scheme was also in place in Ironbridge, the county’s World Heritage Site.

By Peter Finch and Jason Lavan