St Julian’s Friars and Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury roadworks update

A project to improve the busy junction of St Julian’s Friars and Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury by resurfacing roads and installing a zebra crossing is progressing, despite complications during the first phase of work, say engineers.

The work involves the repaving of footways, minor highway drainage, kerb realignment and the installation of a zebra crossing on Beeches Lane, as a replacement for the existing Pelican crossing.

Two speed humps will also be installed – one in Beeches Lane and one at the bottom of Wyle Cop.

The enhancement scheme is designed to lower vehicle speeds and improve the junction for pedestrians, as well as making it easier for vehicles to access businesses for loading.

Beeches Lane, St Julian’s Friars and Wyle Cop each need to be closed for a time to allow the work to be carried out.

Only one road will be closed at a time, starting with Beeches Lane which closed on Monday 2 June 2014 and is due to reopen at the end of this week (week commencing Monday 23 June 2014).

Beeches Lane was originally hoped to reopen by 20 June 2014, but unforeseen problems with drainage have meant that work needed to continue into the following week.  The contractor has provided extra resources in order to minimise any delays.

That has meant that Wyle Cop is now expected to be closed from 30 June for up to two weeks, and St Julian’s Friars will be closed for two days following the completion of the work on Wyle Cop.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“It is not uncommon for complications to arise when working underneath road carriageways, but contractors are working hard to make sure the overall project is not delayed.

“This has meant that Wyle Cop will now be closed a week later than originally announced, and we apologise if that has inconvenienced anyone, but it was made clear at the outset that the closure dates were flexible because of potential issues like this.

“The project will greatly improve an important gateway to Shrewsbury town centre.

“Pedestrian access has always been difficult, particularly crossing Beeches Lane from St Julian’s Friars car park, and this work will make it much safer for pedestrians.

“We apologise for any disruption caused by the road closures, but they are unavoidable due to the nature of the work.

“Shrewsbury town centre will still be very much open and accessible, with pedestrian access being maintained at all times.

“Residents and businesses can be assured that we will do everything we can to get the work completed as quickly as possible.”

For details of diversion routes, see the further notes at the end of this news article.  All dates and timescales are approximate and closures will be shortened as much as possible as work progresses.

Signed diversion routes will be in place during the closures, and pedestrians will still have access, as will vehicles needing to access businesses for loading.

Andrew Bannerman, local Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, said:

“This is an ideal opportunity for those who just want to get to the other side of the town centre to use an alternative route.  For instance, to get from the Column to Frankwell,  it is generally just as quick, and much more environmentally friendly, to use the Meole Island, Roman Road, Porthill route, than to go through the town centre.”

Further notes: Road closures and diversion details

Beeches Lane (from Wyle Cop to Williams Way): 2 June (9am) to approximately 27 June

Diversion route: St Julian’s Crescent / Williams Way

Details: Traffic flows on St Julian’s Crescent and Williams Way will be reversed.  Traffic will enter at English Bridge and leave at Town Walls.  Alternative routes out of town are Kingsland Bridge or Welsh Bridge.

Wyle Cop (in both directions from Dogpole to Beeches Lane): 30 June for approximately two weeks.

Diversion route for traffic coming from Castle Street: High Street / Welsh Bridge / Copthorne Road / Roman Road / Hazeldine Way / English Bridge.

Diversion route for traffic coming from English Bridge: Beeches Lane / Town Walls / Smithfield Road / Castle Street / Dogpole.

Details: Access for deliveries etc to Wyle Cop businesses will be maintained.  Vehicles requiring access to the closed section will either need to reverse into the area, or turn around.

St Julian’s Friars (section from St Julian’s Crescent to Beeches Lane): For two days following completion of Wyle Cop work.

Diversion route: St Julian’s Crescent / Williams Way

Details: Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to use St Julian’s Crescent or Williams Way.  Access for deliveries etc will be maintained, but delays should be expected.