Investing in Shropshire’s roads

Shropshire Council has been busy repairing the county’s roads over the spring and summer, following damage caused by the worst winter for more than 100 years. 

The council received £3,615,511 from the Government in March 2011 and it subsequently put together a programme of works highlighting and prioritising the roads most in need of repair. 

This extra money was more than double what was awarded last year and gave a much-needed boost to the programme.  It also enabled the highways teams to carry out more extensive repairs than would have previously been possible, prolonging the life of the roads and limiting future repair work. 

Completed schemes include resurfacing and improving the drainage on the A528 between Ellesmere and Shrewsbury, just south of Burlton; resurfacing Queensway in Whitchurch and Newtown in Market Drayton; resurfacing, replacing the kerbs and levelling the manhole covers on the High Street in Highley; resurfacing Barke Street in Highley and resurfacing the Forton to Fitz road and the B4387, Horsebridge between Westbury and Minsterley. 

Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport, said: 

“The extreme winter conditions of 2010/11 caused more widespread and rapid deterioration to our roads than normal.  As a result, unfortunately, many of them were showing signs of wear and tear. 

“This money has allowed us to repair around 94 miles of road, which sometimes provide the only access to and from rural communities, and halt their deterioration, meaning that they are even better prepared for winter. 

“It has also enabled us to fix potholes when they first appear rather than carrying out an emergency temporary repair and then returning to make a permanent repair, saving us time and money. 

“Improving the state of our roads is one of our top priorities and it is vital that we continue to invest in and maintain our infrastructure to support motorists and businesses.” 

For more information about our roads and how they have been repaired, people should visit our website here.

Although the council regularly reviews the condition of the roads, it also relies on help from local people to identify those which are in most need of repair.  Therefore, it’s encouraging people to get in touch and report potholes online, by emailing customer.service@shropshire.gov.uk  or calling 0345 678 9006.