Resident anger over roadworks

An angry resident who lives near routes linking south Shropshire with Bridgnorth today hit out at on-going road works labelling them ridiculous.

Jim Smith, of Cleeton St Mary, said he was outraged by works on the B4363, which runs from Cleobury Mortimer to Bridgnorth, and the B4364, from Ludlow to Bridgnorth.

He said the double set of works meant both routes were closed for lengthy periods while workmen carried out improvements to the roads. The roads were closed from 8.30am-3.30pm.

Mr Smith said: "It's been utterly ridiculous to have both closed at the same time. They run parallel to one another and are our main accesses to Bridgnorth. It would have been far better to have staggered the closures.

"If I wanted to travel towards Bridgnorth between 8.30am-3.30pm I would face a very long detour, one via Craven Arms."

A 750m stretch of the B4364 near Draw Well House, Cleobury North, is currently subject to improvements, which include widening, resurfacing, surface water drainage and some minor re-kerbing works.

These repairs are due to be completed by next week.

In addition, Severn Trent Water workmen have this week started on the second phase of their rural supply pipe scheme on the B4363.

Due to problems with the first phase, the B4363 between Kinlet and Six Ashes had to be closed for an extra month.

Shropshire County Council said the works should only have overlapped for a short period, but "unforeseen" problems have seen the work extended.