Drivers 'will reap benefits' of Shrewsbury roundabout works
Motorists will reap the benefits of £4.6 million improvement work to roundabouts on the A5, says the Highways Agency.
The extensive work to the Emstrey and Preston Boats islands in Shrewsbury has been causing traffic misery for motorists stuck in rush hour queues.
The latest phase of work which runs until Wednesday will see narrowed lanes to the approaches of each roundabout between 6am and 8pm in both directions.
The outer ring of the islands will be coned out with 50mph speed limit.
And between 8pm and 6am the approaches to both islands will be taken to one lane which will continue around the roundabout. There will be a full closure of the A5 eastbound from the A458 with a diversion down Weeping Cross on to Thieves Lane joining A5 at Emstrey Island.
The quadrant of Emstrey island leading to the B4380 will also be closed.
Today the A5 will be closed eastbound from Preston Island to the M54 junction 7 between 8pm and 6am. And on Tuesday the A5 will be closured Emstrey Island to Preston Island between 8pm and 6am.
Work at Preston Boats junction will retain the existing roundabout but include traffic lights on all approaches. The Highways Agency says these will be 'smart' signals that read the demands of traffic on the junction approaches and alter timings automatically.
The new system will introduce 'free flow' lanes on the A5 westbound and A49 to A5 eastbound arms, which officials claim will remove a significant volume of traffic from the junction.
Emstrey island will benefit from several approaches being widened and widening of the island itself to provide three lanes with traffic lights.
See also: Roadworks nightmare for Shrewsbury roundabout family
