Opposition parties in combined pledge to cancel North West Relief Road - if they win May's election
Shropshire Council's three opposition parties have combined to pledge that they will cancel the North West Relief Road - if they take control in May's election.
The leaders of the council's Liberal Democrat, Labour, and Green Party groups have sent a joint letter to the government outlining their stance on the controversial project.
In it they say that the "first priority" if the administration changes in May "will be to cancel the North West Relief Road (NWRR) application".
The pledge comes as the council faces up to what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested election - with the future of the relief road a live issue for the electorate.
The Conservative group secured a majority of 12 in the last election in 2021, but that has been whittled down, and now stands at only one - after a period where there was no overall control.
The letter, signed by Lib Dem joint leader Councillor Roger Evans, Labour Leader Councillor Rosemary Dartnall, and Green Party Leader, Councillor Duncan Kerr, says the road "offers no credible solution to the current and future traffic problems Shrewsbury and Shropshire face".
The much-delayed relief road project is yet to gain full planning permission, while there are also major question marks over how the road would be paid for.
Shropshire Council has not even publicly confirmed the cost of the road - but its most recent capital strategy said more funding was needed because costs had increase by £111m.
The joint letter, addressed to Lillian Greenwood, Minister for Future Roads, states: "We write on behalf of the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green opposition groups on Shropshire Council regarding the proposed North West Relief Road (NWRR).
"The NWRR is a controversial proposal made by the Conservative Group which currently administers the council, as a solution to Shropshire traffic congestion. There is no cross-party consensus for the proposed NWRR.
"At our previous all out election in 2021 the Conservatives had a majority of 12. This majority has eroded steadily due to by-elections the Conservatives have lost during the current term.
"The Conservatives are now hanging on with a majority of one, following a period of no overall control."
The leaders say they expect the Conservatives to lose control in May, and add: "We expect Shropshire Council to be run by one or a combination of our groups.
"Shropshire Council's finances are balanced on a knife edge and we are concerned that no more public money is wasted.
"We do not accept the case for the NWRR has been made.
"When administration change comes our first priority on May 2, will be to cancel the NWRR application."
It concludes: "In short, we are certain the NWRR offers no credible solution to the current and future traffic problems Shrewsbury and Shropshire face.
"We will work instead for local projects aimed at improving traffic flow while working at haste to reduce the number of cars on our roads."
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