Meole Brace roundabout improvement work wins second award in a month
Work to improve Meole Brace roundabout in Shrewsbury has been named the winner of the ‘Best Small Project’ award in the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transport (CIHT) West Midlands Awards 2018.
It comes just three weeks after the work was awarded the judges’ ‘merit’ award in the Institute of Highways Engineers (IHE) Mercia Branch Awards 2018.
The CIHT award judges were looking for projects of less than £5 million in value which demonstrated outstanding examples of transportation, or highway projects that were delivered on time and to budget and which made a major contribution to the West Midlands.
Meole Brace roundabout after improvement work was completed
Meole Brace roundabout was one of the first elements of the £12m Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) to be completed.
The island was re-modelled to increase capacity on the approach legs and reduce congestion. Traffic signals, street lighting and signs were upgraded and ‘soft-engineered’ sustainable drainage systems incorporated together with natural woodland habitats to promote wildlife and ecology.
A new link through road and shared pathway was created through the island to benefit all modes of transport and to enhance the surrounding environment – and cycling and pedestrian facilities were enhanced to promote Shropshire Council’s visions for improving health and well-being in the community.
Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:
“We’re delighted that this important scheme has been recognised by industry experts for the second time in less than a month. As a result of the improvements to the roundabout traffic movements for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists have been greatly enhanced. Along with improvements to the traffic lights phasing at the junction, this work has delivered a junction that will have the capacity required for the planned growth of the town.”
Pete Wilde, regional director for WSP – Shropshire Council’s design consultant – said:
“All key partners have worked extremely hard to deliver this hugely sensitive scheme and we are very proud and delighted to have received this latest award for the Meole Brace project. The recognition by the CIHT West Midlands together with the recent Judges Merit Award at the IHE Mercia Branch awards is positive publicity for the civil engineering profession and the contribution engineers make to delivering sustainable and long-term economic benefits to rural counties such as Shropshire.”
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.
McPhillips (Wellington) Limited was the local Shropshire contractor that delivered the works on the ground.
The CIHT award winners were announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on Thursday 3 May 2018.
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 two main elements:
- Key junction improvements at Reabrook Roundabout, Meole Brace Roundabout, English Bridge Gyratory and Coleham Head. These involved upgrading current highway infrastructure, including traffic signals to improve vehicle capacity and pedestrian and cycle facilities, with the aim of reducing congestion
- Enhancements in Shrewsbury town centre, including Pride Hill, The Square and Mardol to improve the public realm and highlight pedestrian facilities. This closely links to the traffic management measures.
Midlands Engine
Marches LEP
