Wem will get 20mph limit

Plans to reduce the speed limit in Wem to improve road safety will be implemented in August.

Intensive talks between town councillors and Shropshire Council mean proposals for a 20mph zone and pedestrian crossings have been rubber stamped.

Council officials are putting together a detailed design for the 20mph restriction, which will encircle the town centre, starting from near Thomas Adams' school house at the western end of High Street.

Designs will also include a zebra crossing outside the town hall in High Street.

Wem Town Council expressed strong support for the speed restriction and, following a consultation carried out this year, no objections were raised.

Councillor Pauline Dee said: "This is something we have been looking to do for some time to make residents and shopkeepers feel safer in the town.

"We have had a problem with people speeding around the town and hopefully the 20mph speed restrictions will put a stop to this.

"People wanted to extend the speed restrictions in to the housing estates, but after consultation with police we were told there had to be limitations on how far it could go."

Alice Dilly, Shropshire Council's principal engineer, said design work on a 20mph zone centred on High Street was under way. Maunds Corner would also be included. "Construction is expected to start in August," she said.