Work finally to start on A49 pedestrian crossing in Shropshire
Work is finally set to start on putting in a £137,000 pedestrian crossing across a "dangerous" stretch of Shropshire's A49 - bringing to an end a 40-year battle by campaigners.
The puffin crossing will be set up between Church Road and Forge Way in Dorrington and will take three weeks to construct.
Work will start on April 28 and disruption is expected as lane closures, temporary traffic lights and diversions all come into force.
Councillor Tim Barker, who represents the area for Shropshire Council, said people in the village had been calling for a pedestrian crossing on the road since the late 1970s.
Officials at the Highways Agency today said the crossing would make it much easier for villagers to cross the road, but warned of disruption for motorists while the crossing is set up.
Councillor Barker, who represents the Burnell division, has been involved in the campaign to get the crossing in place since 2006.
He said the road was narrow and heavily used, while many village amenities, such as the school, the village hall and the pub were all on one side of the A49.
"It is a very busy trunk road that divides the village," he said.
"The general idea is it will link both sides of the village back together.
"It has taken a great deal of work by the parish council and myself to bring the Highways Agency to the table and persuade them a crossing is needed. That took years and years."
Councillor Tony Tudor, chairman of the parish council, said: "It is a much-needed facility on a road that is obviously going to get busier.
"For the majority of the residents, it will be a great asset to enable children and disabled people to cross the road safely."
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski has also been a supporter of plans to build a crossing in the village.
Jess Kenny, Highways Agency project manager said: "Local residents and Shropshire Council have expressed concerns about pedestrian accessibility across the A49.
"This crossing will make it so much easier for people to cross this busy thoroughfare.
"During construction we advise road users to allow extra time for their journey."
The work will be carried out day and night.
Night time work will be carried out under carriageway or lane closures from 8pm to 6am.
Diversions will be signed.
During the day there will be lane closures with traffic controlled by temporary traffic lights from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
It is expected the crossing will be completed by mid May, subject to weather conditions.
