Aerial photographs give a bird’s eye view of Meole Brace roundabout improvement work
Work to improve Meole Brace roundabout in Shrewsbury was carried out between January and July 2017 as part of the £12million Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP).
Now, Shropshire Council and its contractor WSP have published some aerial photos showing the roundabout before, during and after the work.
To see the photographs click here to visit the Shropshire Council website.
There are five sets of photographs, each showing the roundabout from a different angle.
Meole Brace roundabout after improvement work was completed
Speaking about the work at Meole Brace roundabout, Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:
“Shropshire Council is currently delivering £12m of key inward investment into Shrewsbury’s highways and town centre, through the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP).
“Meole Brace roundabout was one of the first elements to be completed, and saw a fundamental redesign of the junction to accommodate the planned growth of residential and employment sites along Oteley Road, and also to acknowledge current day outbound traffic movements towards the A5 and A49. Shropshire Council also took the opportunity to greatly improve the safety and ease of use of the junction for cyclists and pedestrians with a brand new dedicated route through the roundabout separating these journeys from live vehicle traffic.
“In tandem with improved signalling and revised landscaping, the improvements were successfully delivered on time and in line with the allocated budget through Shropshire Council’s contractor McPhillips Ltd.
“The public and user response to the completed works has been very positive, and traffic movements for vehicles, pedestrians (particularly during events and football fixtures at the football stadium) and cyclists, have been greatly enhanced. With the ongoing improvements and refinement to the traffic lights phasing at the junction now enabled, the improvements have delivered a junction fit for purpose in terms of capacity for the planned growth of the town.
“As part of the reinstatement works to habitat and planting, the island is also becoming established as a more attractive, ecologically diverse and effectively managed gateway entrance to the town. Shropshire Council will continue to work with Shrewsbury Town Council to ensure that this continues.
“Shropshire Council continues to deliver further elements of the SITP, planning to complete the ‘Key Junctions’ phase on target before Christmas 2017, and moving onto public realm and Pride Hill enhancements within the town centre from March 2018.”
Meanwhile, Nic Laurens, Shropshire Councillor for the Meole division, said:
“Before and during the Meole Brace roundabout improvement work there was a great deal of debate amongst local residents regarding the need for and possible outcome of this work. Since its completion the majority of residents I speak to in the Meole area say they are supportive of the work. I’m pleased to say that odd remedial issue that has arisen has been very quickly addressed by Shropshire Council’s highways team.”
Meole Brace roundabout before improvement work was started.
Further information about the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package
The SITP is funded through £6m of Growth Deal funded secured through the Marches LEP, and £6m of developer contributions.
The SITP is a package of transport measures designed to improve the transport system in Shrewsbury, and stimulate a new period of sustainable economic growth within the town and the surrounding area).
It comprises a number of elements including;
Key junction improvements at Reabrook Roundabout, Meole Brace Roundabout, English Bridge Gyratory and Coleham Head. These involve upgrading current highway infrastructure, including traffic signals to improve vehicle capacity and pedestrian and cycle facilities, with the aim of reducing congestion
Implementing further phases of the SCOOT* network to improve traffic signal operation and manage traffic flows on main arterial routes. This includes new VMS (variable message signage), which would direct town centre through-traffic onto the inner relief road or, alternatively, towards car parks and park and ride facilities.
(* SCOOT (split cycle offset optimisation technique) is a technology for managing and maximising the efficiency of traffic signal junctions in urban areas.)
Enhancements to pedestrian and cycle links to increase accessibility to the town centre for active and sustainable modes of transport, and improve awareness of these links in Shrewsbury.
Improved pedestrian wayfinding* within and around the ‘river loop’ to generate a highly accessible and connected town centre for pedestrians
(*Wayfinding within SITP refers to information systems that guide people through and around the town, and enhance their understanding and experience of it.)
Enhancements to the public realm*, such as Pride Hill, Shrewsbury Square and Mardol to improve the public realm and highlight pedestrian facilities. This closely links to the traffic management measures
(*The public realm refers to all the spaces between buildings that can be freely accessed, it encompasses all outdoor areas including roads, parks, squares, pedestrian routes and cycleways.)
For more information visit shropshire.gov.uk/sitp.
Midlands Engine
Marches LEP
