Five-month road closures hit area
At least one road in Bridgnorth has been closed or controlled by temporary traffic lights every single day since the beginning of February, it was revealed today. At least one road in Bridgnorth has been closed or controlled by temporary traffic lights every single day since the beginning of February, it was revealed today. Businesses in the town have been fuming about the disruption which has seen 10 separate roads closed to drivers in just five months. The work has been for various schemes, from BT installations to road resurfacing. Traffic lights are in place at the moment in Westgate, causing delays for people driving into High Town from the A458 bypass. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Businesses in the town have been fuming about the disruption which has seen 10 separate roads closed to drivers in just five months. The work has been for various schemes, from BT installations to road resurfacing.
Traffic lights are in place at the moment in Westgate, causing delays for people driving into High Town from the A458 bypass.
The work to repair a water main by Severn Trent Water is just one of 10 roadwork schemes in and around Bridgnorth since February.
Details released to the Shropshire Star under the Freedom of Information Act show that at least one road has been closed or controlled by traffic lights every day since February 12 when Severn Trent closed Sydney Cottage Drive for construction of new sewers until May 18.
Business owners in Low Town were particularly hit when St John's Street was closed from 9.30am to 4pm every day from May 8 to June 1 while BT installed new cables.
Bob Beckett, of Low Town Post Office, said businesses could be devastated by road closures which often took trade away from the area.
He said: "The majority of people these days use transport of some description to get here so consequently takings dropped considerably."
Richard Martin, manager of The Falcon Hotel in Low Town, added: "We lost a good 40 per cent of our trade while the roadworks have been going on - at least a couple of thousand pounds."
BT apologised for the inconvenience caused by the work but said it was essential to maintain its service in Bridgnorth.
There are more delays on the way for commuters with the A442 Bridgnorth to Telford road set to be closed from July 24 to July 28 for an inspection of the cliff face at High Rock.
A controversial scheme to make the A458 junction in Much Wenlock safer has been put on hold for locals have their say on when the work should take place.
Road closures rundown:
February 1 to 2 : A442 at Sutton Maddock - resurfacing.
February 1 to 2 : B4379 at Sutton Maddock - resurfacing.
February 12 to May 18: Sydney Cottage Drive - sewer construction.
February 12 to May 18: Queensway Drive and Dunval Road - sewer construction.
March 21 to 22: Hollybush Road - burst water main repairs.
March 21 to August 21: Severnside South - work on collapsed footway.
April 26: St John's Street - resurfacing and drainage.
April 30 to May 1: Harpswood to Criddon Road - resurfacing.
May 8 to June 1: St John's Street - BT installation works.
June 11 to 30: Westgate - water main repairs.
By Simon Alton
