Shropshire Star

Road closure planned for urgent repairs

A major road will be closed while work is carried out to repair a slipped embankment.

Published
Roadworks planned on town route

Shropshire Council says that Ironbridge Road in Broseley, will be closed between Dark Lane and Coalport Road junctions, from 8am on Friday to 8pm on Sunday, in order to carry out "urgent repairs".

The work will involve sealing cracks, placement of large steel plates and additional surfacing material over the damaged length.

Gurnek Singh, Shropshire Council’s engineering services and bridges manager, said: "The proposed works are interim measures, but considered essential as council engineers have been monitoring additional tension cracking in the road surface since early January 2021.

"We are concerned that if they open up further we would be forced to close the road on the grounds of safety. A forced closure of Ironbridge Road, Broseley at this point would cause major traffic disruption to local residents, local businesses and tourists visiting the area and the surrounding heritage sites in Ironbridge.

"These works are therefore considered urgent to safeguard the structural integrity of the carriageway until the main remedial works can be programmed."

Mr Singh said they wanted to ensure the minimal impact of the work, with the plan to have it completed before the roads are expected to be busier due to the lifting of the next stage of lockdown restrictions.

He said: "The council is also expecting increased traffic levels from Monday, April 12, as the Government’s third Lockdown restrictions ease, as part of step two of their roadmap.

"HGV traffic levels are forecast to increase along Ironbridge Road due to a nearby local development which will be starting soon.

"Therefore it is imperative that Shropshire Council works collaboratively with its service provider partners and other key stakeholders, such as STW and Western Power Distribution (WPD), to ensure works are co-ordinated during the planned road closure.

"We are also mindful of WPD undertaking major electricity infrastructure works along Madeley Road under a road closure, and these works are already increasing traffic levels in and around the Ironbridge area; and therefore, we have co-ordinated our works with the permitting teams at Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council to minimise impact on the local communities.”

While the road is closed, traffic will be diverted via Ironbridge, Much Wenlock and the B4376 road.

Access for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists will remain available throughout the work, and access to homes will be maintained at all times – up to the slipped section of road.

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