Phil Gillam: Time to stop horsing around over road idea

And I wouldn't mind betting that as the noisy four-wheeled demons began to clog up the narrow streets of England's old towns, a fair old number of people in Shrewsbury would have been saying: "Nah – what's wrong with a horse?"

Indeed, I could find you a few people now, in 2016, who are still asking that question.

Of course cars are generally pretty useful when you need to get from A to B with the minimum of fuss, but there are places where they're simply not wanted.

One such place, I reckon, is that normally quiet run of Princess Street and Market Street in the heart of our medieval town centre that takes you past Carluccio's restaurant, the Music Hall (our museum and art gallery) and the back of The Square.

Sometimes, when this area is particularly peaceful, you might be forgiven for thinking this street is pedestrianised, especially when you view people sitting outdoors outside Carluccio's enjoying meals and drinks. But then a car appears, and people are forced to step out of the way pretty sharpish.

It seems you're not going to be able to ban traffic altogether along this stretch, but there is a suggestion doing the rounds that might help reduce the number of vehicles using the area.

Over to Shropshire Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents Quarry and Coton Hill. He wants the local authority to press ahead with a trial which would reverse the one-way direction of traffic on Princess Street and Market Street.

Currently the road is "access only" but despite attempts to enforce the "partial ban" some drivers are still using it to bypass town centre traffic.

Talking about the idea to reverse the traffic's direction, Councillor Bannerman said: "My question is why on earth have we not trialled it by now? The idea has been around for months, why on earth can we not just try it out?

"I have asked since the museum was opened, what are we going to do about this conflict immediately outside the door? They have ummed and ahhed, the police have done their bit and we have not moved it forward. Let's get on and do it."

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said that the idea should either be trialled, or there should be rigorous enforcement of the current regulations. He said: "I certainly think that reversing the flow of traffic is a valid idea and could be introduced for a trial period to evaluate the impact."

And Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways, has said that the authority is investigating whether reversing the traffic flow would have an effect. However, he said that while it needed to be addressed, the problem was being overstated.

He said: "Traffic driving past the front of Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery has been an issue since the museum opened in 2014.

"The perception of the problem is probably greater than the reality, but I agree that something does need to be done, as much for the feel and use of The Square by pedestrians and shoppers as for safety considerations."

Referring to his experience of being a pedestrian in a car-loving American town, the writer Bill Bryson once commented: "Four times I was honked at for having the temerity to proceed through town without the benefit of metal."

Surely, nobody wishes this to be the experience of people walking through the quieter streets of Shrewsbury.