First look at Shrewsbury town centre revamp plans

Simon Jones, the Shropshire Council cabinet member behind the plan, was speaking as the proposals went on show to the public for the first time.

The council's £12 million integrated transport plan was being unveiled in a display at the Darwin Shopping Centre.

It was said that it called for a particular combination of talents – lots of activity but no actual achievement. Yes, the civil servants agreed, Hacker was the man for that.

Happily the ambitions of the Shrewsbury plan are far more achievable than Hacker's dream of integrating road, rail and air services (and upsetting all three sectors in the process).

The underlying aim is to remove traffic from the town and make things better for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The proposals have gone on display at the Darwin Centre. They include resurfacing Pride Hill and adding new benches and plants.

Shrewsbury has a lot going for it, but a medieval town centre and the requirements of modern traffic are not an easy mix. When it is up against Telford, or even places like Cheshire Oaks, it has to balance improving access while not destroying its special character.

The scheme includes proposals to improve the appearance of Pride Hill, The Square, and Mardol, as well as changes to major junctions and traffic systems, intended to reduce congestion throughout the town.

Councillor Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This package will provide a wide range of economic benefits for Shrewsbury and a real boost to the town centre by removing traffic from the town and improving things for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists."

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said "this will have a long term impact in aiding access to the town and hopefully reducing some of the traffic in town".

The scheme is a £12 million attempt to improve access to the town for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. It is intended to resurface Pride Hill and add new benches and plants, as well as revamp The Square and Mardol.

A proposal from Shrewsbury's Friends of the Earth group, and Bus Users Shropshire, to shut High Street off to cars was rejected while the plans were being drawn up.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This package will provide a wide range of economic benefits for Shrewsbury and a real boost to the town centre by removing traffic from the town and improving things for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

"This important and beneficial work will be carried out at no cost to Shropshire Council and is a great example of how Shropshire can attract and benefit from external funding."

The proposals include changes to four major junctions around the inner bypass at Meole Brace roundabout, English Bridge Gyratory, Reabrook roundabout and Longden Coleham. Work on the roundabouts and crossings is set to start in November.

Work on Pride Hill is expected to be carried out in 2017/18.

As part of the plans 'active signing' will be introduced on the town's outer ring-road which will provide live traffic information, telling motorists about potential congestion.

The existing Scoot system, which synchronises traffic lights will be developed and improved on the inner bypass and main entry points to the town centre. The council says there will also be greater promotion of park and ride.

The plans have been drawn up by Shropshire Council and its contractor Mouchel, with the support of Shrewsbury BID and Shrewsbury Vision. They have also been approved by the Department for Transport.

Funding for the work is split with £6m coming from the Marches LEP and £6m from developer contributions.

The plans will be on display on today and tomorrow, February 12 and 13, between 10am to 5pm at the Darwin Centre, near to the Marks & Spencer food hall.

They can be also be viewed from Friday on the Shropshire Council website.