Shropshire Star

Plans for next stage of Shrewsbury road improvements outlined

The next round of work to improve a number of major Shrewsbury roads and streets will begin in April.

Published
More roadworks are on the way to Shrewsbury

Shropshire Council has announced that it is now looking for a company to carry out the work, with an appointment expected in January.

It will take place at Bellstone from its junction with Shoplatch to Barker Street, at Wyle Cop at its junction with Dogpole, and at Mardol, Roushill, Mardol Head and Claremont Street.

The council said the work, which is part of the town's 'integrated transport plan', will include "improvements to footways, crossing points, road surfaces, roads signs and street furniture.

The integrated transport plan has caused some controversy, with initial complaints about work to Meole Brace roundabout, although changes have been well received since they were completed.

There has also been considerable criticism over the handling of the ongoing refurbishment of Pride Hill.

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Alongside the upgrading of Pride Hill and the work from Town Walls to Claremont Bank, this work is key to improving the public and urban realm for Shrewsbury.

"We thank people for their understanding while all of this important work is carried out – they will see a significant and notable improvement to the town centre once the work is complete.”

At all the sites involved will have new natural stone kerb lines put in to provide wider footways and new pedestrian crossing points.

The council said the footways will be repaved with high-quality natural stone.

Existing drainage will also be altered where required to suit the new road layouts, while roads will be resurfaced with some sections paved in natural stone setts.

Trees are also proposed to be planted in urban tree pits at Bellstone and Mardol and updated street furniture is proposed at all sites along with traffic sign upgrades at all sites.

The originally planned surfacing works in High Street to the foot of Pride Hill will now be carried out with the April work to minimise disruption and road closures.

The work will follow on from the Town Wall to Claremont Bank enhancements, which are being carried out from this month to spring 2019.