Footways to be upgraded between Wyle Cop and English Bridge in Shrewsbury

Work will begin in early January 2018 to upgrade the footways between Wyle Cop and English Bridge in Shrewsbury.

This work is being carried out as part of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) and will include the upgrading of footway and kerbing materials with natural stone products – and the resurfacing of the carriageway. The aim is to enhance and improve the area and complete the new Abbey Foregate ‘gateway’ to the town centre.

The work is expected to take approximately seven weeks to complete.

To see a detailed plan of the work, click here to visit the Shropshire Council website.

It follows on from the improvement work being carried out at Shrewsbury gyratory and Coleham Head as part of the SITP, which is due to be completed next Monday (13 November 2017) once the traffic signals are in place and operational.

A programme of enhancement works in Shrewsbury town centre will then begin in March 2018, including the upgrading of Pride Hill.

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“The work carried out at the gyratory and between Wyle Cop and English Bridge will create a new ‘gateway’ into the town centre and, in effect, extend the town centre out to Abbey Foregate. This will greatly enhance the area and the town, and be of particular benefit to traders in the Wyle Cop area.

“The enhancement work that will then begin in the town centre aims to make a positive and consistent change to the quality of the public realm. Improvements will be made in a number of locations but, as the primary shopping street in the town centre, the physical upgrading of Pride Hill – which will include resurfacing, new street furniture and other improvements – is key to this enhancement work.

“The overall SITP package will provide a wide range of economic benefits for Shrewsbury and a real boost to the town centre economy. This important and beneficial work is also being carried out at no cost to Shropshire Council, so is a great example of how Shrewsbury and Shropshire can attract and benefit from external funding.”

Every effort has been, and will be, made to minimise disruption while work is carried out.

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 13 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