Improvements to Heathgates roundabout in Shrewsbury

Work to enhance and improve the Heathgates roundabout in Shrewsbury will begin today (Friday) – the first of a number of potential projects that aim to improve the town’s ‘northern corridor’, one of the main routes into the town centre.

The Heathgates work will see new landscaping on and around the island, improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, and a reduction in the number and size of signs.

Many of the shrubs and floral tiered planters currently found on the island will be retrieved with a view to reusing them at other locations throughout the town or county.

This will be the first work carried out as part of Shropshire Council’s Northern Corridor Environmental Improvement Plan, a package of proposed projects to enhance the A5112 – A5191 route from Battlefield Island to Castle Foregate.

The work is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government through the Shrewsbury Growth Point programme.

It is anticipated that the enhancement works will be completed by early April 2011 and every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum while the work is carried out.

During the work it will be necessary to close Sundorne Road at its junction with Heathgates roundabout on three consecutive Sundays – 6, 13 and 20 February.

Signed diversions will be in place during the closures.

Following the Heathgates work, it is hoped that additional projects can be implemented at Spring Gardens and around the railway station area.

Councillor Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and housing, said:

“Our aim is to create a vibrant and distinct northern corridor that can act as a prime gateway into Shrewsbury. The Heathgates island work, and future projects, will help to greatly improve this important entrance into the town centre. We also hope that they will help to attract further private sector investment into northern Shrewsbury, producing new housing and employment opportunities into this challenging area.”

Alan Mosley, Shropshire Councillor for Castlefields and Ditherington, said:

“This, together with the improvements to the road layout, brings significant improvements for local residents and travellers. I am now looking forward to local consultations about a Growth Point scheme to rejuvenate the area around the Ditherington/Spring Gardens shops.”

The Northern Corridor is a priority area as outlined in the Shrewsbury Growth Point Programme of Development.

This Growth Point-funded work follows on from recent work at Heathgates that was funded by Cycle Shrewsbury and Shropshire Council.