Shropshire Star

Council apologises for Shrewsbury roadworks disruption

Shropshire Council has apologised for the disruption caused by roadworks in Shrewsbury.

Published
Last updated

The town has been the focus of a series of lengthy road closures for work being carried out by Shropshire Council, Severn Trent, and National Grid over recent months.

Speaking in response to calls for an inquiry into the way the town's roadworks have been handled, George Candler, Shropshire Council’s director of place and enterprise, said they are vital to reduce congestion for motorists.

Mr Candler also said that due to the busy nature of the junctions involved the work was always likely to lead to an increase in traffic on routes used for diversions.

He said: "The junctions being improved are key to improving traffic flows around Shrewsbury. The junctions were already well used, and therefore any works to them are likely to have an impact on increased traffic movement onto the diversion routes, especially in the vicinity of the roadworks.

"Shropshire Council apologises for this inconvenience to motorists whilst these works continue."

The most recent work, as part of Shrewsbury's Integrated Transport Package, which is designed to reduce congestion, has seen long tailbacks on Abbey Foregate due to the closure of Old Potts Way for work at the Reabrook Roundabout.

Earlier this week Shropshire Councillor Alan Mosley, who leads the authority's Labour group, said the work was disruption residents and putting people off visiting the town.

He said: "To have had such a long period of traffic chaos in and around Shrewsbury must be harming the town and causes considerable difficulties for residents and visitors alike.

"I do think an urgent review of how this has been implemented now and in future is essential to make sure we speed up completion and so that the levels of disruption are kept to a minimum.

"It is diabolical. It just seems that there needs to be an urgent review of the way things are happening, the speed at which they are completed, and the arrangements that are in place.

"It just seems intolerable that these things are happening one after the other which means continuous disruption for residents and visitors."