Fight goes on to extend M54 to Shrewsbury
Renewed calls have been made to extend the M54 to Shrewsbury as the motorway celebrates its 30th anniversary today.
The road first fully opened on November 25, 1983, to take pressure off the A5 and support development of the new town of Telford.
Town leaders in Shrewsbury want the M54 to be extended west of Telford and reclassify the A5 as motorway up to either Preston Island or Dobbies roundabout.
Earlier this year Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski asked Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin to conduct an urgent review of upgrading the stretch of road. Mayor of Shrewsbury Jon Tandy is also backing the move.
They say big investors are currently put off from expanding into Shrewsbury and creating jobs as towns such as Telford appear to have better transport links.
It is hoped to get the stretch of A5 east of Shrewsbury reclassified as M54.
Mr Kawczynski said today that efforts would continue to get the road reclassified, despite Government officials indicating the plan is not currently being considered.
Peter Bettis, president of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said it would help "flag up" Shrewsbury's good transport links and promote the town for business. Councillor Tandy added: "Getting this done would send a message out that Shrewsbury is very much open for business."
