Calls for safety measures on 'deadly' Market Drayton road
Calls have been made to urgently introduce new safety measures on a "deadly" road in a town, described as a “major accident waiting to happen".
A desperate plea for safety measures on the A53 by the Gingerbread Man pub in Market Drayton has been issued by town councillors.
Road safety campaigners and councillors said a pedestrian crossing has been desperately needed for more than a year.
Councillor Roger Hughes said: “There are a number of road safety measures that have not been included in Shropshire Council’s capital programme this year so we need to re-submit.
“The most important measure that needs to be installed as soon as possible is a pedestrian crossing by the Gingerbread Man pub.
“We have submitted this several times now and I am appalled it has not been included in the list of works this year.
“It is ridiculous and needs doing urgently.
“More and more people are parking in the cattle market and Gingerbread Man pub and crossing the busy A53.
“It is extremely dangerous and we need to keep pressure on highways for a solution.”
Councillor Mark Whittle added: "This is a major concern in the town at the moment. It is a dangerous spot on market days especially.
“At the moment it is a deadly accident waiting to happen. Something needs to be done quickly. This needs to be a number one priority highlighted to Shropshire Council.
"A pedestrian crossing would be perfect for the safety of the general public."
A pedestrian crossing had previously been on the cards as part of a new Sainsbury's development.
However, in 2015 the store chain said its application for the Vicon Works Industrial Estate off the A53 was no longer viable due to changing shopping patterns.
Dave Gradwell, Shropshire Council’s area traffic engineer – north, said: “I can confirm that Market Drayton Town Council put forward a submission last year in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Road Safety Policy process for pedestrian crossing improvements on the A53 at the Gingerbread Man public house and also a new footway link on Adderley Road.
“This request was assessed/prioritised against other competing scheme requests from across the county for consideration of funding as part of our Capital Works Programme for 2017/18; however, it was not successful at the present time.
“In order to consider this matter further, this scheme request will now need to be put forward for consideration of funding as part of next year’s capital programme.
“I can confirm that I have recently met with Market Drayton Road Safety Group and the local Shropshire councillor to discuss their safety concerns.”
