Lack of materials means longer closure for Shropshire road
A major road in Shropshire will be closed for a further three weeks – because the workforce don't have the materials required to finish the job.
Drainage and resurfacing work was originally due to take place along Soulton Road, Wem, from February 16 to March 27.
However, this date has now been extended, after an unforeseen supply issue left the workforce short of the materials required to complete the job.
An application to extend the current road closure was submitted to Shropshire Council on March 20, with the work now aiming to be completed by Friday, April 17.
But due to another road closure, on New Street, and to minimise further disruption over Easter, Soulton Road will partially reopen from tomorrow until Monday, April 13.
From Tuesday, April 7 until Friday, April 10 New Street will be closed for essential resurfacing work. A signed diversion route via Pyms Road and Lowe Hill Road will be in operation during the road closure.
Councillor Mandy Meakin, mayor of Wem, said: "I am glad they are reopening Soulton Road while New Street is closed. They can't shut off every road in Wem after all."
A spokesman for Shropshire Council's term consultants Mouchel was apologetic and explained the plans for the Easter period.
He said: "We're disappointed with the situation and the further disruption to road users and residents.
"In order to try and minimise any further disruption over the Easter period, when many people travel, we are planning to partially reopen the road from the evening of Thursday, April 2 until early morning on Monday, April 13, before closing it again in order for the job to be completed.
"We've had to balance the needs of road users over a popular and busy period for travel, alongside the need to finish the work and keep both the road users and our workforce safe as it is completed.
"The current closure was due to finish at the end of March but there has been great difficulty in getting hold of all the materials needed.
"We tried all our local suppliers, but none was able to supply at the rate required. Bituminous material can only be supplied at a rate of 200 tonnes per day, and the difficulties stem from a major increase in demand recently."
Last year Wem faced weeks of disruption while a major scheme to carry out gas works was carried out.
Wales & West Utilities upgraded the gas network in parts of the town centre to improve services for users.
