Market Drayton landslip repairs to start - 11 months on

Major repair work to a bank which suffered from a landslip 11 months ago is expected to cost £90,000 when it begins in Market Drayton next week.

Work will start on Monday to repair the wall alongside the A529 road at Phoenix Bank which will cause up to two months of misery for motorists.

Last February a section of the wall behind St Mary's churchyard gave way, dislodging rubble. Temporary traffic lights were introduced until repairs could start.

Council bosses today revealed that the proposed work is complex and will involve installing specialist ground anchors to stabilise the steeply sloping soil face and then rebuild the wall itself. They said that it will be necessary to temporarily close the bank to traffic to carry out the work safely.

Traffic will be diverted along Shrewsbury Road, Dalelands Estate and Walkmill Road.

­Signs will intercept through-traffic outside the town and divert it via the A53 and A41.

There will be access along the bank for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists.

Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for transport and IT, said: "It is appreciated that the proposed road closure will cause inconvenience and every reasonable effort will be made to keep this to a minimum and complete this essential work as soon as possible."