Narrow Shrewsbury road to become one-way permanently
A temporary one-way system introduced on a narrow street in Shrewsbury last year is to be made permanent.
An ‘experimental’ traffic order came into force on New Street, Porthill, in June, as one of Shropshire Council’s emergency schemes to promote active travel and social distancing in line with coronavirus legislation.
The changes, which also included a 20mph speed limit, were set to be in force for up to 18 months.
But the council then launched a public consultation asking residents and road users whether they would like to see them kept.
Councillor Julian Dean, who represents Porthill, said he had campaigned for the move alongside residents.
In addition, a 20mph speed limit is expected to be introduced on New Street, Pengwern Road and part of Copthorne Road, with scope for an extension up Woodfield Road to link up with the 20mph zone outside Woodfield Infants and St George’s Junior schools.
Councillor Dean said: "This represents a real victory for local people, for common sense and for the creation of a cleaner, safer local neighbourhood.
"New Street has been a site of concern for many years and it has taken a lot of campaigning by local residents and myself to convince Shropshire Council of the need to change.
"Over 200 residents have fed in to the consultation which has led to this plan.
Engaged
"It’s been wonderful to see so many people engaged, and the plan reflects local views.
"These new changes will make the street safer and the neighbourhood itself more inviting for walking and cycling."
Shropshire Council officers are currently working on a design brief for the proposed changes which will include the retention of New Street’s current contraflow cycle lane, as well as infrastructure changes to make the new speed limit self-enforcing.
There is also a proposal for an additional pedestrian crossing on Copthorne Road, near the Barracks development, which Councillor Dean is pursuing.
Meanwhile, planned town centre changes – including introducing a low-traffic zone – should reduce through traffic coming across the Welsh Bridge towards Frankwell.
Councillor Dean added: "In terms of the big picture we know that we need to find ways to make cycling and walking safer and more inviting right across town in order to reduce our reliance on cars.
"We also know there’s public support for this across Shrewsbury.
"We’ve had two summers where the town centre was pedestrianised almost by accident because of essential roadworks and the pandemic.
"Now nobody wants to go back to how things were before.
"We’re seeing a real public appetite for reduced car dominance on the streets where we live, work and play."
