Shropshire politicians lobby minister on county's 'totally inadequate' A5
Two of the county's MPs and the leader of Shropshire Council have lobbied the Secretary of State for Transport to make improvements to the "totally inadequate" A5 – including making a long stretch into a dual carriageway.
MPs Owen Paterson and Daniel Kawczynski and Councillor Keith Barrow had a meeting in London yesterday with Patrick McLoughlin MP to urge him to make major improvements to the road.
They particularly want to see its extension to a full dualled highway within Shropshire from the Wolfshead junction near Nesscliffe to Chirk and then beyond.
Mr Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, said that the meeting went well.
"Patrick McLoughlin was sympathetic to our proposals," he added. "He knows the road, which helped when we were putting our point across.
"In the period 1991-2015 there have been 48 fatalities on that stretch of road, 308 serious casualties and 1081 slight casualties. Since 1993 traffic has increased on that road by 33 per cent in a 24 hour period rising from 36,807 vehicles to 49,045.
"The road is completely inadequate in its present form and we have got to get it dealt with.
"I am hoping to collate evidence and then have a meeting at Shirehall next summer where we can present our case."
"The Secretary of State for Transport was very sympathetic to the idea of a long term solution."
Councillor Barrow said:"I'm very pleased Owen Paterson invited Daniel and I to join him to lobby the Secretary of State on this hugely important matter.
"Making the A5 a dual carriageway along its entire length is crucial for both safety and economic reasons.
"There have been far too many serious and fatal accidents along this stretch of road in recent years, and many of these could well have been prevented. It's vital that improvements are carried out to help prevent further accidents, injuries and fatalities in future.
"But improvements to the A5 are also crucial for the county's economy and future prosperity.
"Our current Economic Growth Strategy makes it clear that Shropshire is 'open for business' and aims to ensure that the Shropshire economy is growing more rapidly than other areas. However, the further dualling of the A5 corridor is key to realising this aim, as this would greatly improve access to Shropshire from the West Midlands, via the M54.
"And Shropshire Council is currently supporting and encouraging housing, retail, commercial and leisure developments in Oswestry. These will contribute enormously to the local economy, but need a good, safe and effective road network."
