Prime Minister Theresa May responds to calls for Shrewsbury relief road

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski was challenging the Prime Minister about the need for Shrewsbury's North West Relief Road, which was shelved almost six years ago due to lack of funding.

At PMqs today Mr Kawczynski said: "The government has rightly focussed on ecomonic growth, jobs and prosperity, something that all of us on these benches can get behind.

"With that in mind will she back our highly competitive bid for funding for the north west relief road in Shrewsbury which will not only deal with the congestion our town is facing but dovetail into that narrative."

In reply, Mrs May said she was aware the project was a priority for Mr Kawczynski and news of successful bids was due soon.

She said: "I know that the North West Relief Road in Shrewsbury has been an issue that is of particular concern to him and it is a priority for him and it has received considerable local backing.

"I understand the local Marches LEP has indeed put in a bid for feasibility funding so they can prepare a business case for the scheme.

"What I can say at the moment is that the announcement of the successful bids for feasibility funding is expected very shortly indeed."

Mr Kawczynski previously raised the matter with former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2013. Then he asked if the country's improved economic situation would allow funds to be set aside for the project. Mr Cameron said he would examine the case in further detail.

A Government grant of £100 million, combined with £10 million of cash from another source, would be required to get the scheme off the ground. Plans for the four-mile bypass, running from the A5 at Churncote island to the western end of Battlefield link road, have been in the pipeline for more than 25 years.

In 2009 the Government approved £85 million for the road, but the project was shelved in January 2011 after a review decided there was no scope for investment.