Transport Secretary to look at relief road for Wem

Chris Grayling told North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson in a face-to-face meeting he will examine the case for a bypass for Wem.

It comes after the Wem Town Council wrote to Mr Grayling, demanding a slice of a nationwide multi billion-pound fund for local road improvements.

Mr Paterson, who held a meeting with Mr Grayling yesterday, has backed the town council's call for a relief road, which would reduce the number of cars going through the town centre.

He said: "In Wem they have submitted a bid for a bypass. Unfortunately it doesn't look as easy as I had hoped.

"The scheme is aimed at A-roads but I explained the particular circumstances about Wem and was told by Chris he will go away and have a look at it."

Mr Paterson said he plans to meet the town council next week to discuss the relief road.

"I am all in favour of a relief road. I find it strange Wem is stuck with a medieval street pattern and everything goes straight through the centre. It would be a big improvement if Wem can get a relief road," he added.

A new route to solve ongoing problems in Wem has been an aspiration for many years, according to its town council.

Last year an automatic number plate recognition traffic survey was carried out in the town in response to the traffic problems.

It was conducted after concerns from local residents about the presence of large vehicles in Wem town centre, particularly in Mill Street and High Street.

Meanwhile, at the latest meeting of Wem Rural Parish Council councillors agreed to support the case for a relief road.

Carole Warner, clerk to the parish council, said: "Wem Town has written to Chris Grayling MP welcoming the announcement of the Transport Investment Strategy including the provision of funding of relief roads around rural towns and putting forward a case to consider Wem for funding.

"The parish council support in principle the need of a relief road for Wem."

Shropshire Council has been considering a list of solutions to ease problems in the town.

These have included include creating a loading bay outside NatWest, reviewing HGV signs in the town and surrounding areas, looking into a lighting system similar to Much Wenlock, considering whether a one-way system is suitable, and looking at a relief road.

Announcing the government’s spending plans for roads, Mr Grayling said: “Getting transport spending right is crucial for the country’s future. The transport investment strategy sets out a blueprint for how we can harness the power of transport investment to drive balanced economic growth, unlock new housing projects and support the government’s modern industrial strategy."