Shrewsbury A5 roadworks finally end

The Highways Agency today said the work at the Emstrey and Preston Boats islands was due to finish "soon", with expectations it will be complete over the next fortnight - but this morning there were no speed restrictions in place and both the Emstrey and Preston Boats roundabouts were fully operational.

The £8.4 million project to improve two of Shrewsbury's principal traffic islands is almost complete. It will be some time, however, before the jury reaches a verdict on whether the works have been worthwhile.

The Emstrey and Preston Boats islands have undergone considerable change. The mouths of the junctions have been widened, improved lighting has been installed, surfaces have been relaid and new lanes introduced.

The project took considerably longer than forecast and caused upheaval for motorists for more than nine months. Those who sat patiently in line waiting for the rebirth of Shrewsbury's gateways have every right to ask the question: was it really worth it?

The initial reaction to the new layout has been less than encouraging. Many motorists find the new layout confusing. It remains unclear why the project was so far behind schedule, particularly after highways bosses had given assurances that it would be completed before Christmas.

A cost-benefit analysis might also reasonably examine whether shaving a minute or so from travel times is really worth £8.4 million of public funds at a time of austerity. Many will wonder whether the money might not have been better spent repairing potholes or on slowing down traffic on some of the region's fastest and most dangerous A- and B-roads.

There is also a wider issue regarding the management of roadworks along the M54 and A5. The scheme to improve Shrewsbury's roundabouts has been one of several undertaken during the past year or so. Sections of the M54 were closed for bridge repairs previously and long stretches of the M54 eastbound and westbound are currently subjected to either speed restrictions or overnight closures.

Questions must be asked about the strategic management of all schemes along the M54 and A5 and whether more could not have been done to reduce delays for commuters.

Debbie Makinde, a spokeswoman for the Highways Agency, said: "We aim to complete the A49 Preston Boats and Emstrey Island schemes by the end of March.

"The team is working hard and is on track to complete before then."

The £8.4 million project was scheduled to finish in December but has faced several setbacks.

Initial problems had been caused by poor weather and technical issues with the commissioning of traffic signal control components.

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski has previously described delays to the scheme as unacceptable.

He said his constituents had been making it clear they were not prepared to continue putting up with the disruption up to the middle of March.

"I obviously had to intervene and see them to highlight the concerns of my constituents," he said today.

"I am very pleased to see work coming to an end.

"Some constituents coming from Dobbies Island to Emstrey in a morning are now saying the queues aren't there that there used to be.

"When there was rush hour traffic in the morning there used to be serious tailbacks from Emstrey to Dobbies. But people are saying traffic flow is better now."

Mr Kawczynski added: "Long-term I think this is an important investment which will help Shrewsbury cope with additional housing and more people in the future.

"When it is fully operational I think it will prove to be another example to show the importance of getting the North West Relief Road."

Richard Vine, regional director of Lafarge Tarmac, which is transforming the Emstrey and Preston Boats islands on the A5 in Shrewsbury, has previously said it was "not as simple as working faster".

He said he was aware of motorists' frustrations but said accelerating the scheme could put road users and his workforce at risk.

The work at the two islands started in June and has caused delays of up to 30 minutes for motorists. There have also been several overnight road and island closures.

The project was named number eight in a list of Britain's top 10 worst congestion blackspots caused by roadworks, by traffic information provider Inrix.