Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury A5 roadworks on target but fear of winter disruption

Roadworks on the A5 at Shrewsbury are on schedule to finish at the end of the year – although that may well depend on how hard winter bites.

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The next phase of the £3.8 million improvements to the Preston Boats and Emstrey Islands on the A5 is now under way, and although workers have moved to a new location, the project is still causing a headache for motorists.

And there will be no end to the nightmare until around December, as traffic cones are not due to be lifted until Christmas – provided the harsh winter weather stays away.

Sam Harris, a spokesman for the Highways Agency, said at present the aim is to get the works completed by the end of the year.

However, she could not offer an exact date because of potential winter disruptions.

She said: "It is weather dependant how much progress we can make.

"It is one factor that would affect the works, and that is common sense.

"We don't know what kind of weather we are going to get at the moment. It has been quite mild so far but there is an element of unpredictability. We are doing all we can to finish on schedule."

She said the agency had sympathy with motorists who regularly travel the route but said the road closures had been needed to get the project finished.

Motorists have been stuck in delays during rush hour and over holiday periods.

Tony Bywater, chairman of Salop Leisure, near to the Emstrey Island, has previously told the Shropshire Star the works were causing customers to avoid that area of Shrewsbury, which is affected his business.

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