Investing in Shrewsbury’s roads to ensure that they are fit for the future

Shropshire Council is investing in Shrewsbury’s roads and town centre to enable motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to get to their destinations quickly, more easily and safely, now and in the future.

These essential improvement works are being carried out as part of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) which will see £12m of inward investment in the town’s roads and centre over the next four years.

In order to comply with the particular conditions for the funding, secured via the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), there is a deadline for the money to be spent and the package to be completed.

Steve Brown, Shropshire Council’s highways transport and environment maintenance manager, said:

“We are now two years into a five year programme which has been carefully planned and designed to meet the ever increasing demand on the town’s roads and centre.

“The town is expanding, with many housing developments and employments sites already being built and many more in the pipeline. We cannot stand still – we have to create capacity where we can to relieve congestion and improve the environment in the town. There is no better time to deliver improvements than now.”

All of the works have been carefully planned well in advance of work starting on site and take into consideration major events happening in the town, as well as other essential public utility, development and maintenance work.

There is a balance to be made with requests from utility companies to carry out work on their networks, which are often underneath pavements or roads. The council’s work permit scheme enables it to regulate these, facilitate collaborative working and limit disruption where possible.

However, things don’t always go to plan and, due to unforeseen buried drainage and difficult ground conditions, improvement works to the Reabrook roundabout in the town will take longer than expected.

This will mean that Haycock Way will continue to be closed entirely and Old Potts Way will be closed from Scott Street to the roundabout, with signed diversions in place, and two-way traffic lights on Pritchard Way and Bage Way until the end of July 2017 (originally the start of July).

It will reopen temporarily in the afternoon on Wednesday 7 June 2017 when around 18,000 people are expected to descend on the town to watch Rod Stewart play at Shrewsbury Town FC.

Steve Brown added:-

“We do understand that this extended closure will cause disruption to people’s journeys and we apologise for this. We are always evaluating our options when unforeseen and unavoidable situations such as this arise, and are having to continue with the works slightly longer than was expected so that we can complete these key roundabout improvements to the highest standard. Thank you for your continued patience.”

Further information

What is the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package?

The Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) aims to reduce the use of the town historic 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.

The SITP has been designed to improve access to the town, make it a safer and more appealing place to visit or do business, whilst also reducing pollution levels.

Drawn up by Shropshire Council and its term engineering contractor Mouchel, with the support of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, Shrewsbury BID and Shrewsbury Vision, the SITP has been approved by the Department for Transport. The plans aim to ensure the infrastructure of our county is fit for purpose and will remain fit for purpose for the foreseeable future and beyond.

What work is taking place?

The SITP work falls into two main categories:

(1) Key junction improvements

Work is scheduled to take place at the following locations, on the dates stated:

• Meole Brace roundabout – now complete
• Sutton Park roundabout – now complete
• Reabrook roundabout – from 8 May to 26 July 2017
• English Bridge Gyratory – from 3 July to 24 September 2017
• Coleham Head – from 25 September to 20 October 2017

The programme is subject to change due to acceleration of works or unforeseen events. Please continue to look at the Shropshire Council website for up-to-date details.

The programme as a whole has been agreed to take into account the major events taking place in Shrewsbury during the spring and summer and council officers are working closely with utility companies to ensure necessary improvements take place collaboratively.

(2) Town centre improvements – beginning in January 2018

Who is paying for the work?

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.

Midlands Engine

Marches LEP