Plans to slash speed limit on Shrewsbury routes

Major routes across Shrewsbury could see their speed limits slashed shortly after proposals moved a step closer to becoming a reality.

Shropshire Council wants to cut the speed limit to 50mph on the A5112 Robertson Way and to 30mph at three roundabouts along the route. The road currently has a 60mph limit.

And the authority also wants to reduce the limits to 30mph for the entire lengths of Battlefield Road, Whitchurch Road, Sundorne Road and Featherbed Lane.

Speed limits on sections of the roads are currently 40mph.

Hereford Road and Telford Way would remain at 40mph and Haycock Way will also be included in proposals for a 50mph limit under the plans.

And the reductions look set to go ahead with just one objection lodged with Shirehall chiefs over the A5112 plans from a resident who wants it to be cut to 40mph because they claim it is unsafe for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

They also claim that the speed limit is inconsistent along the route.

But officers are recommending that the plans be approved for a 50mph limit, despite the objection, when the council's central planning committee meets to discuss the proposals on Thursday.

In a report to the committee Hugh Dannatt, Shropshire Council's group manager for highway and traffic engineering, said: "The average speeds travelled on Robertson Way were recorded as 46.2mph northbound and 43.8mph southbound indicating that the route is both currently perceived to be, and is travelled at, speeds suited to a 50mph speed limit."

By John Kirk