Relief road backed

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The Government has approved an £85 million windfall to help pay for Shrewsbury's controversial North West Relief Road.

The £100 million bypass is among a host of schemes in the West Midlands to receive funding support to improve transportation in the region.

Supporters claim the road will slash congestion and boost business in the town, but opponents say the scheme will be an "environmental disaster".

Plans for the relief road, which will stretch for four miles from the A5 at Churncote Island to the western end of the Battlefield Link Road, have been in the pipeline for 20 years.

Phil Crossland, Shropshire Council's assistant director for transport and highways, said the announcement was an important step forward.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted at the announcement that the NWRR has been allocated regional funding. What it actually means is that, subject to meeting certain criteria, the Government is indicating that there is £85 million available."

Mr Crossland said there were still traffic studies to be completed and planning permission to be obtained, but he said the road was expected to be built by 2017.

But objectors to the scheme today said it would destroy the countryside and create more pollution.

Dr Katy Anderson, member of the No-Way Group against the road, said: "I am disappointed and surprised that the Government has let this expensive and outdated scheme through.

"At the moment it takes about 15 minutes to cross the town by car. The road will take a few minutes off that time, for a while, but just like at Newbury, traffic will build up again and wipe out the benefit.

"We'll have spent £85 million, destroyed a swathe of the ecologically valuable landscape near the town and achieved nothing but increased carbon emissions."

The Government says detailed schemes and impact on greenhouse gas emissions will be considered further on a case by case basis before receiving full approval.

Also in the Regional Funding Allocations are extensions to the Midland Metro tram network into Birmingham and Wolverhampton and the fast-tracking of small rail schemes such as improvements to Kidderminster Station.

By Russell Roberts