Shropshire roadworks blight for holidaymakers
Motorists face more chaos on the A5 when a £4 million scheme to improve one of Shropshire's busiest roundabouts begins next month.
Work to reduce congestion at the Mile End Roundabout on the edge of Oswestry is due to start on July 1 and could last for nine months.
The improvements will also create a new access road onto land zoned for the town's urban extension, which could see 1,000 new homes built and employment land created.
But, while roadworks are in place drivers face 24-hour speed restrictions on the A5 and A483 and some overnight closures of part of the Oswestry bypass.
The work will coincide with the busy holiday period when thousands use the roundabout on their way to Wales.
Motorists also face being caught in delays caused by work on two roundabouts on the A5 Shrewsbury bypass. The work on the Preston Boats and Emstrey islands starts on Monday and is due to be completed by December.
Mike Lloyd, a Highways Agency officer, said: "We aim to tackle congestion at this junction as part of the national pinch point programme which forms part of the government's growth initiative.
"The A5 at A483 Mile End junction is subject to congestion, especially during peak time travel periods.
"We will increase the size of the existing roundabout and realign the junction."
Mr Lloyd said that there were other major benefits to the project.
"As part of the pinch point programme this scheme aims to provide improved access to planned housing and employment sites near the junction which will help provide about 1,800 jobs and more than 1,000 new homes by 2020." he said.
"It will help reduce daily congestion, reduce journey times for the travelling public, boost the economy and improve safety."
Meanwhile motorists face a 26-mile diversion when roadworks take place on the A5 south of Oswestry next week.
The Highways Agency will be carrying out overnight work to put in the new signage and road markings on the road at the Queen's Head junction, from June 12.
When the road is closed during four nights of work, motorists will be sent on a diversion along the A458 and A483.
A new electronic sign will be installed to warn southbound vehicles travelling from the Oswestry direction of the approaching junction.
Mr Chris Lewis, assistant manager at the Queens Head pub on the junction, said he was pleased to hear that the safety signs were being fitted.
"It can be quite harrowing trying to find a safe window in traffic to turn out on the A5 from the Queens Head junction. And it can be equally harrowing sitting on the A5 waiting to turn off the trunk road."
