Regeneration on the way for Market Drayton as relief road project stopped

Market Drayton could be in line for a regeneration boost, after councillors decided to halt plans for a relief road in the town. 

Proposals to build an inner relief road in Market Drayton have been on the table for the past eight years after being identified in the North Shropshire District Council Local Plan. 

A proposed design for the road went out to public consultation in March 2012, but it has now been decided not to go ahead with the plans, and instead use the land to provide regeneration and much-needed housing.  

A report being considered by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 19 December 2012 recommends that land set aside for the road should now be sold to support housing and regeneration schemes in Market Drayton, which councillors felt would be more beneficial than a relief road.  

Further work and discussions will take place with the public and local councillors about the future of the land, and any potential developments will be subject to the usual planning procedures, which will involve consultation with local people. 

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

“These proposals have been talked about for a long time, and the fact is that a lot has changed over the past eight years.  Money is incredibly tight, and we feel that providing a boost for the local economy is now more of a priority than a relief road, especially as many people are now questioning whether Market Drayton needs a relief road anyway.”