Site tests begin on a £3.3m road plan

Work on a long-awaited £3.3 million relief road in a Shropshire market town is to begin next month, it emerged today.

Shropshire Council is due to carry out the first phase of ground investigation works in preparation for a new inner relief road in Market Drayton.

The road would create a link between Stafford Street and High Street at the top of Phoenix Bank.

The scheme is also seen as a way of opening up development land close to the town centre.

Highways chiefs say the first piece of work will be centred on the Stafford Street garage site.

The site is known to have had several uses over the years, including as a foundry, so experts are to deploy radar equipment to ensure there are no obstructions below the ground.

The work will be carried out over three or four days. The materials gathered will be tested in a laboratory.

Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for housing, said: "This is an essential and interesting piece of work which will give us a clearer picture of the site."

He added: "We are currently talking with affected landowners and expect to carry out an exhibition on the project in the autumn."

Councillor Brian Gillow, for Market Drayton East, added: "I hope everyone will give enthusiastic support."