St Julian’s Friars enhancement scheme public exhibition
A public exhibition is taking place to present ideas for the future of St Julian’s Friars and lower Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury, and to discuss work being carried out on the new development road layout, due to be opened early in October 2012.
Following the St Julian’s public exhibition held in December 2011, Shropshire Council’s highways and transport team has been working with local councillors to look at what improvements can be made to St Julian’s Friars in light of the diversion of traffic on to the new roads Williams Way and St Julian’s Crescent.
As St Julian’s Friars provides a key route for people walking and cycling to and from the town centre, it is proposed that it will be blocked to traffic at the junction with Beeches Lane. The road would be resurfaced in an attractive material, like that used on Victoria Avenue and other routes in The Quarry.
Full vehicular access for residents and businesses located in St Julian’s Friars would be permitted from the junction with the new road, next to the Abbots Mead Hotel.
Enhancement measures are also proposed at the end of Beeches Lane and the lower section of Wyle Cop, which includes loading bays for the local businesses and improved crossing facilities. High-quality materials are proposed to visually enhance this historic area of Shrewsbury.
When the new roads ‘Williams Way’ and ‘St Julian’s Crescent’ are opened, one-way traffic will be enforced in an anti-clockwise direction (from Town Walls to English Bridge). The roads will be part of a Restricted Parking Zone, which does not allow stopping or loading except in signed designated areas. Access to St Julian’s Friars car park will be signed from Beeches Lane to Williams Way; no access will be permitted from St Julian’s Friars due to the one-way system.
These restrictions are being implemented under an experimental Traffic Regulation Order and will be in place for a maximum period of 18 months before being made permanent, or amended accordingly. People can let the council know their views regarding these restrictions during the first six months of their operation.
The public exhibition will take place at the Abbots Mead Hotel, in St Julian’s Friars, on Thursday 4 October 2012 between 12pm and 7pm, and on Friday 5 October 2012 between 10am and 3pm, where officers will be on hand to explain and discuss the proposals. Feedback forms will be provided for people to have their say.
Further details of this scheme and consultation can be found at www.shropshire.gov.uk/stjulians
The consultation period on this scheme runs until Friday 2 November 2012, so feedback forms and comments can be sent in at any time up to this date to:
- Post: Highways and Transport, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND
- Tel: 01743 252511
- E-mail: transport@shropshire.gov.uk.
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for transport, said:
“These proposals are aimed at making the St Julian’s Friars area easier for vehicles to access, while improving the safety for pedestrians and cyclists at the same time. I hope people take the opportunity to come and have a look at the plans to let us know what they think.”
Andrew Bannerman, local Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, added:
“Officers and councillors have worked hard on this scheme, to try to improve this part of town for pedestrians and cyclists who are accessing the town centre from the Greyfriars Bridge in ever-increasing numbers. There has been a lot of concern about the speed of vehicles on lower Wyle Cop, both leaving and entering the town centre. This scheme aims to be a traffic-calming measure, as well as providing a clear passage for cyclists and pedestrians. We are keen to hear the views of residents and those who use this part of town for business purposes.”
