Deputy leader says gyratory project will make Shrewsbury nicer to visit as work around station begins again

Work on the project has been paused during the festive period, but resumes today (January 6).

The area affected includes the gyratory next to Shrewsbury Railway Station, connecting Castle Gates, Chester Street, Smithfield Road and Cross Street, along with areas to the north and south.

Work resuming this week includes the continuation of paving works and the introduction of new signs, posts, permanent traffic signals and street lighting.

Shropshire Council said this will involve setting up temporary traffic signals to enable work to be safely carried out outside the former Antonio’s barbers.

There will also be paving and kerbing work on the new pedestrian crossings at Castle Foregate, Smithfield Road and the railway station exit.

The county council said this phase of the work is due to be completed towards the end of this month, while the whole 'station quarter’ work is set to be completed by the summer.

Councillor Ian Nellins said the project, which has benefited from the Government's Levelling Up fund, "should be" on track for completion this summer.

"That is one of the things, we have to get it done within the constraints of the Levelling Up funding and spend the money by a certain time.

"As anything, these things can change but at this moment, and as far as I am aware, it should be on track."

The 'station quarter' project is aiming to improve public space, provide walking and cycling improvements in the station gyratory area, and connect to two new 'active travel corridors' to the north and south.

Mr Nellins added: "It is about making Shrewsbury town centre a healthier and nicer place to visit. It takes time and work to achieve that. So hopefully people will appreciate that when it is done.

"Understandably, in order to make those improvements there will be some disruption and I know that is difficult for people and from a council perspective we appreciate people’s patience, but we have put diversions in place and signage to try and take away a lot of the unnecessary traffic from that area.

"That did work and I think people did get used to it.

"It is all part of a bigger plan and improvement strategy and part of the plan to improve Shrewsbury for the future.

"We are looking forward to completion. The sooner it gets done, the better because we want to do away with the disruption.

"It is a critical part of the improvement strategy. There is a lot of work going on with the Riverside development, but it is easier to manage because of the location.

"Part of the constraints of the Levelling Up funding is the time limit on it, so ideally we would have done that after we had a North West Relief Road but realistically we have to work within the constraints we have so that is why we have been going ahead with it.

"It will make the place a lot better in the future. We have got staff who will continue to speak to local residents and consult with them to ensure they are kept informed and we thank them for their patience.

"And, understandably with having that work close to them or disrupting your way into work it is unfortunate. But we don’t make improvements without doing the work."