Bid to reopen Oswestry street to traffic and help revive town trade
Plans to reopen a town centre street blighted by empty shops to traffic will be discussed in the new year, the deputy leader of Shropshire Council has said.
Councillor Steve Charmley said members of Oswestry Townscape and Transport Forum will discuss a possible trial of opening up Cross Street in the town.
He said: "I know members of the forum are due to come back in January with some conclusions as to what roads in Oswestry need reviewing, and I think that will be when the Cross Street plan will move forward.
"I think they're definitely the vehicle to push it."
Councillor Charmley said the pedestrianised area of town has been "struggling" for a number of years and would benefit from passing traffic, as well as footfall.
He said: "That part of town is under pressure and it has been for a long time now. My personal view is if it was open to traffic, perhaps new or existing businesses would consider opening up there."
Last month Councillor Charmley led the calls for the pedestrianised zone to be abandoned and for the bollards to be removed for a trial period of six months.
Councillor Chris Schofield, chairman of Oswestry Townscape and Transport Forum, has previously said Cross Street is one of the town's problem areas, and believed a trial of opening it up to traffic would boost trade.
Infrastructure and business services group Mouchel is due to come back to the group in January with a final report following a review of Oswestry's roads.
Oswestry Town Council, Shropshire Council, and Oswestry Chamber of Commerce managed to commission £15,000 to help fund the review by the firm.
Last month, Mayor of Oswestry Councillor Paul Milner said opening the street to traffic again could see its "revival", as well as offering short-stay on-street parking.
David Clough, Oswestry Town Council's retail markets and events manager, has also said bringing market stalls down into the street could help.
"We're hoping to work with Shropshire Council to try and develop this plan.
"Really it's bringing the markets to the people and the hope is that it will pull people up towards the Bailey Head and that's key," he said last month.
