Shrewsbury town centre improvement plans to go on display
Plans to boost Shrewsbury town centre by reducing traffic and making it easier for drivers and pedestrians to get into and around the town go on display this Friday (12 February 2016).
The plans are part of the Shrewsbury integrated transport package (SITP) which aims to stop drivers using the town centre as a through route, and to make better use of the town’s outer and inner ring roads instead.
At the same time, a number of improvements are planned for the town centre to make it more attractive and appealing for pedestrians, and make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access the town centre and find their way around.
Drawn up by Shropshire Council and its contractor Mouchel, with the support of Shrewsbury BID and Shrewsbury Vision, the plans have been approved by the Department for Transport.
The project will be delivered thanks to Government funding secured by The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as part of an £80m Growth Deal to support infrastructure and broadband schemes in the region.
The work will cost £12m – with £6m coming from the Marches LEP, and £6m from developer contributions under the community infrastructure levy (CIL) and section 106 payments.
The plans will be on display on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 February from 10am to 5pm in a shop unit in the Darwin Centre, to the rear of Marks and Spencer.
They will also be available to view from Friday on the Shropshire Council website at new.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved, where a questionnaire can also be completed.
Under the plans work will be carried out to improve four major junctions around the inner bypass at Meole Brace roundabout, English Bridge Gyratory, Reabrook roundabout and Longden Coleham – including improved crossings at many of these junctions.
This work aims to encourage drivers to use the inner bypass for trips across the town, rather than using routes through the town centre. It is anticipated that it will lead to improved journey times and journey time reliability.
Within the town centre there will be a number of improvements to roads and pavements to help provide a boost to the town’s economy. Pride Hill will be enhanced, with a new surface, new street furniture and improved greenery.
There will also be improvements along High Street, Shoplatch, Bellstone and Town Walls.
New active signing will be introduced on the outer ring-road – providing information about the best routes for drivers to take without using the town centre.
The existing SCOOT traffic-responsive traffic light network will be developed and improved on the inner bypass and main entry points to the town centre – and new variable message signing will be put in place around the town centre to provide the latest traffic and car park information,
Pedestrian and cycle links which are currently ‘missing’ from the network will be introduced to encourage travel by modes other than the private car, and there will be a review of traffic management within the loop of the river.
There will also be greater promotion of Park & Ride
The work ties-in with the development of a wayfinding and signing strategy to assist pedestrian and drivers visiting the town.
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:
“This package will provide a wide range of economic benefits for Shrewsbury and a real boost to the town centre, by removing traffic from the town, and improving things for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
“This important and beneficial work will be carried out at no cost to Shropshire Council and is a great example of how Shropshire can attract and benefit from external funding, which is becoming increasingly vital as council budgets are cut so we’re delighted to have secured it for this important project.
“I encourage people to take a look at the plans and let us know what they think.”
The consultation runs from 12 February 2016 for six weeks.
Work will be carried out over the next three to four years . Work on the roundabouts and crossings is set to start in November 2016.
Further information
The Marches LEP is the business-led organisation which is tasked with creating the conditions for economic growth and job creation in the region. It secured more than £80m for mainly infrastructure projects in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin in its Growth Deal negotiated with Government. Shropshire Council is a partner in the Marches LEP.
