Work to transform Shrewsbury town centre nears completion

Bellstone: February 2020 (left) and April 2021 (right)

The current phase of work to improve pavements, crossing points, roadsigns, street furniture and road surfaces in Shrewsbury town centre is nearing completion, with paving work being completed and new street furniture installed.

The remaining work will see any remaining areas of paving completed along with the installation of benches and seats, planters, bins and cycle racks. Any road markings that are outstanding will also be completed.

It’s part of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) – a £12million externally-funded programme of improvement work in and around Shrewsbury town centre. Work is being carried out by Shropshire Council’s contractor McPhillips Ltd.

And, thanks to the securing of additional external funding, the new paving and kerbing is now set to be extended along Barker Street to Claremont Bank.

Steve Brown, Shropshire Council’s head of transport and environment, said:

“Completion of the current project is now imminent and our series of ‘before and after’ images show the wonderful transformation that has taken place as a result of this work. People visiting Shrewsbury town centre will see a real and notable improvement to many of the town’s streets.

“We’re also pleased to say that we have secured additional external funding which means that the new paving and kerbing can be extended along Barker Street and past the Tannery through to Claremont Bank. This provides a consistent palette of materials which links in to the main scheme and will enhance and improve the overall street scene in this area. This work will be carried out between May and August 2021.”

Work completed recently incudes:

Shoplatch

During a three-week closure which ended in February, works in this section included the removal of the old black cobbles in the carriageway and replacement with Yorkstone granite setts

Footways were re aligned through this location and a raised table formed to create an improved, level, designated crossing area for pedestrians.

Claremont Street

Claremont Street: February 2020 (left) and April 2021 (right)

During this period the remainder of the existing concrete kerbs and paving were removed and replaced with granite kerbs and Yorkstone paving.

The road layout has been re aligned on the Mardol/Claremont Street bend to offer wider footways and crossing points.

The tarmac carriageway has been excavated and replaced with Yorkstone setts from The Art Shop on Mardol around to a new pedestrian crossing point by Majors on Claremont Street.

The area is now level from pavement to pavement – except through parking bays – to make the area more user friendly for pedestrians.

The lower section of Claremont Street has been surfaced with new tarmac.

Claremont Street/Bellstone/Barker Street: February 2020 (left) and April 2021 (right)

Roushill/Mardol Junction

During the road closure, surfacing at Roushill/Mardol junction has also been completed. This consisted of a ‘Hardipave’ tarmac and grouted macadam material which will assist longevity of the surface of the junction with vehicles turning.

Roushill/Mardol: February 2020 (left) and April 2021 (right)

Darwin’s Gate

Where possible existing slabs have been re-used in this location.

The slabs around the centre of the sculpture were removed and replaced with green granite paving to highlight the area. Feature symbol slabs are also being laid in this location.

The old sandstone seats are to be removed and replaced with hardwood timber benches as installed in the earlier scheme on Pride Hill.

During this next phase of work  the contractor will make every effort to ensure the impact of the works is minimised as far as possible.

For more information go to www.shropshire.gov.uk/sitp.

Further information

On 5 May Shropshire Council was notified by its contractor, McPhillips, that due to circumstances beyond their control, they are required to temporarily suspend the works in Shrewsbury town centre. Work will recommence next week (week beginning Monday 10 May) and, in the interim, areas being worked on will be closed up and made safe.