A458 in Shropshire to close for six weeks

Motorists were warned to expect diversions to their journeys as the A458 at Venus Bank, between Cross Houses and Cound, was shutting to allow Shropshire Council contractors to install the new system as part of attempts to tackle frequent flooding problems on the road.

The closure will be 24 hours a day and is likely to last for six weeks.

But if good progress is made, the road could reopen sooner.

Construction of the new drainage system is expected to cost almost £62,000.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, and Shropshire councillor for Severn Valley, said the long-term benefits of the work will outweigh any inconvenience likely to be caused to motorists throughout the next month-and-a-half.

A diversion route is being set up on the B4380 between Cressage and Shrewsbury.

But because of possible difficulties for HGVs at the bridge near Cressage on this route, they are to be diverted between Much Wenlock and Shrewsbury via the A4169 and B4380.

Councillor Wild said: "I'm sure most local people would agree that this work is important, and the long-term benefits will far outweigh the short-term inconvenience.

"We do appreciate that businesses may be worried about how the road closure will affect them, and we are doing all we can to inform people that every business remains open as normal.

"There are no businesses in the specific section that is being closed so they will all remain accessible, and signs will be placed at either end of the diversion route specifically telling drivers that businesses are open."

Shropshire Council has published a list of the businesses based along the road that will be remaining open as normal as the work takes place.

These include The Plume of Feathers pub, The Eagles pub, Riverside Inn, Oakley's, Severndale Nurseries, The Bell pub, and Pace petrol and Mace shop at Cross Houses.