Twenty-seven sets of roadworks unveiled for Shrewsbury

The authority has unveiled the programme of works, which will affect nearly every area of the town at some point over the coming 18 months.

Some of the work is required for gas and water connections, either refurbishing existing infrastructure, or connecting new housing and commercial developments, such as the Shrewsbury South Urban Extension at Oteley Road.

Other work is being carried out as part of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan, designed to reduce congestion in the town, and including significant alterations to Meole Brace roundabout and a number of roads through the town.

Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member in charge of the project, said Shrewsbury would remain open for business and that the work is essential for the future development of the town. He said: "The necessity is there because these are essential replacements of utilities coming forward. Those utilities are for developments going on around Shrewsbury, and added on to that we have the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan, which is to enhance Shrewsbury's town centre to avoid a lot of traffic congestion we get at the minute.

"Eventually all these works will result in great improvement to the town, but in the meantime Shrewsbury will be very much open for business while this is going on."

Council officer Dan Green said they had done everything possible to co-ordinate works and minimise disruption, including ensuring major events do not face disruptions, with embargoes on certain routes for occasions such as this weekend's county show, the cycle grand prix, Shrewsbury Half Marathon, and Shrewsbury Flower Show.

He said: "There is a lot of development taking place in Shrewsbury and to support that development a lot of utilities infrastructure needs to be improved or there is existing infrastructure which needs work such as that at Roman Road. We also have the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan. It is all essential work that we cannot turn away."

Here are just some of the works involved. Some have already begun and the times are subject to change:

• Pulley Lane development - already begun and continuing to June 19 - Work by Shropshire Homes on a housing development off Pulley Lane in Bayston Hill with two way signals. A closure of the upper section will also be required, resulting in a diversion via Green lane.

• Ellesmere Road - starting on May 5, continuing until July 11 - Severn Trent Water carrying out work on water main upgrade for new Redrow Housing development.

• Works will be stopped and the site cleared for the weekend of Shrewsbury Half Marathon which takes place on June 19.

• Oteley Road - starting from May 31, through to August 28 - Work by Land Improvement Holdings to put in road changes and utilities ahead of its construction on the site, which will eventually be the focus of the Shrewsbury South Sustainable Urban Extension. Will involve one lane closure and Westbound traffic will be diverted around the A5.

• Porthill - starting June 19, continuing to July 3 (although dates yet to be confirmed) - Severn Trent Water carrying out work on connection valves for Porthill so a closure will be required while connections are made to the new main.

• The roundabout will operate in contraflow under three-way lights throughout.

• Oteley Road - starting on July 1, continuing to July 18 - Land Improvement Holdings carrying out enabling works in advance of the site off Oteley Road being developed.

• A lane closure will be required and a diversion onto the A5 will be in place.

• Roman Road - starting July 1, continuing to July 31 - Severn Trent Water carrying out work on connections between new main and existing services.

• Work can only be done when sections of main laying are complete and the main is chlorinated and tested. Works will take place under traffic lights at various locations along the route of the new main.

• Thieves Lane - starting July 25, continuing to August 8 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel, resurfacing the roundabout. Most of the work on the roundabout will be carried out under temporary traffic signals, but a closure of Thieves Lane will be required while works are taking place on the section.

• Coleham - starting from July 25 continuing to August 15 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out work on “Safer Routes to School”, to improve safety of school children including pedestrian access and traffic calming measures.

• Featherbed Lane - starting from July 25, continuing to August 19 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out work on “Safer Routes to School”, to improve safety of school children including pedestrian access and traffic calming measures.

• Longden Road - starting from August 22 and continuing to August 28 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out works on “Safer Routes to School”, including pedestrian access and traffic calming measures.

• New Street - starting September 12, continuing to September 23 - National Grid carrying out work to replace cast iron gas main with plastic to reduce the risk of gas leaks.

• Huffley Lane - starting August 1, continuing to August 31 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out “essential works” to resurface the carriageway.

• Meole Brace Roundabout - starting October 1, continuing to April 1, 2017 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out work as part of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan with improvements to the roundabout to increase capacity and traffic flow.

• Springfield Estate - starting October 1, continuing to December 12 - National Grid carrying out essential replacement of cast iron gas main with plastic to reduce the risk of gas leaks.

• Reabrook Roundabout - starting January 1, 2017, continuing to June 1 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out work as part of Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan to increase capacity and traffic flow.

• English Bridge/gyratory - starting April 1, 2017, continuing to September 20, 2017 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out work as part of Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan to alter road layout and traffic signals to increase capacity and traffic flow.

• Coleham Head - starting August 1, 2017, continuing to October 1, 2017 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out work as part of Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan to increase capacity and traffic flow.

• Pride Hill - starting September 15, 2017, continuing to August 15, 2018 - Shropshire Council and Mouchel carrying out work as part of Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan on streetscape enhancements.