Shrewsbury gyratory and Coleham Head improvements – update 27 September 2017

Improvement work began at the English Bridge gyratory and Coleham Head in Shrewsbury at the end of July 2017. The work is being carried out as part of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP).

This is the fourth in a series of progress updates, which can also be seen at shropshire.gov.uk/sitp.

English Bridge gyratory update

Work at the gyratory is progressing as planned. Footpath resurfacing works on the northern footway have been completed, with large sections being opened to pedestrians. New signing and street furniture is being installed throughout and the new traffic signal equipment is due to be installed in early October. Work has now begun on the southern footpath with pedestrians being diverted along the northern section.

The first phase of the Old Abbey Foregate works has been completed and the junction has been reopened to traffic. Following requests from local businesses the footway improvement works are being extended up to Railway Lane. This work will begin on 16 October and is due to be completed by 5 November.

Traffic is flowing well around the gyratory with some minor delays at the Coleham Head junction during peak times, and every effort is being made to minimise disruption.

There will be a one-way closure of the Coleham exit off the gyratory for one night on 9 October.

The night time (8pm to 6am) resurfacing of the gyratory and all approach roads is due to begin on 30 October, when the gyratory and all approach roads will be closed to through traffic, with access being maintained for residents and businesses only. The planned completion for this phase of the work is 10 November.

Coleham Head update

A number of unforeseen drainage issues have been encountered at Coleham Head meaning this part of the work will now take an estimated three weeks longer than originally planned. The temporary traffic lights and closure of Old Coleham will remain in operation for this period.

Resurfacing work will now start at Coleham Head on the evening of 23 October for two nights (from 8pm to 6am), and from 6am on 25 October until 6am on 26 October there will be a 24 hour closure of Coleham Head junction, to enable the road to be excavated and reconstructed in the vicinity of the new island. The resurfacing will be finished off on the evening of 27 October, between 8pm and 6am.

Speaking about the Coleham Head work, Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“It’s always disappointing when unforeseen problems cause work to take longer than originally anticipated. However, incorporating this additional drainage work at Coleham Head into the current scheme means we can avoid having to carry out this work in the future, and avoid the disruption that would bring.

“I must stress that every effort is being, and will be, made to keep any disruption to a minimum. Businesses are open as usual and the three-way lights are only causing minor delays during peak times.”

Further information

This diagram shows a detailed plan of the work that is being carried out at the gyratory.

This diagram shows a detailed plan of the work that is being carried out at Coleham Head.

For more information about the work, watch the video below – or go to shropshire.gov.uk/sitp.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvgRvjZOqSE

Further information

What is the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package?

The Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) 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.

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 experts from Shropshire Council and its consultant WSP, with the support of Shrewsbury BID and Shrewsbury Vision, the plans have 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 – February 2017 to November 2017

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

• Meole Brace roundabout – from 10 February to 30 May 2017
• Sutton Park roundabout – from 10 April to 7 May 2017
• Reabrook roundabout – from 8 May to 26 July 2017
• English Bridge Gyratory (inc Coleham Head) – from 31 July to 10 November 2017

The programme is / was 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 that are taking place, or took place, in Shrewsbury during the spring and summer.

(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