Traffic survey to be carried out in Market Drayton

Shropshire Council has agreed to a request from Market Drayton Town Council to carry out the survey.

It comes after residents and town councillors raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians walking up Smithfield Road.

Calls have also been made for a weight limit to be imposed and for an upgrade to the lighting system be carried out.

A date for when the survey will be carried out has not yet been confirmed.

Councillor Roy Aldcroft, chairman of Market Drayton Town Council's services and facilities committee, said: "Myself, the town council and road safety groups expressed concern in respect of pedestrian safety particularly during the winter nights.

"A response from David Bradwell at Shropshire Council has agreed to have a traffic survey in Smithfield Road to look at speed, direction and types of vehicles.

"This will assist in decision making regarding lighting, weight restrictions and other engineering options.

“Ultimately we want a major traffic survey carried out and also look at the option of making the road one way.

“All this could take up to five years for funding and getting people to agree.

“We want to see it done in phases.”

Also, as the road forms part of the A529, councillors are hoping improvements will be made to Smithfield Road by using government funding.

The A529 has been recognised as one of the 50 roads with the worst safety record in Britain, and Shropshire Council has confirmed it has bid nearly £4 million from the government to make the road safer.

Dave Gradwell, Shropshire Council’s area traffic engineer, said: “We have instructed our term consultants WSP to arrange for a traffic survey to be carried out on Smithfield Road, Market Drayton.

"As and when the survey has been carried out and the results are available, we will forward the traffic data through to Market Drayton Town Council and local Shropshire councillors for their consideration.”