'Catastrophic' Shrewsbury roadworks delayed for two weeks

Work on a £1.4 million improvement scheme to make a road in Shrewsbury safer which has already had a "catastrophic" effect on business will be delayed by a further two weeks, transport bosses said today.

The programme at Harlescott crossroads was due to run until August 27 but will now be extended after a large water main was discovered on the corner of Whitchurch Road and Harlescott Lane.

Work began in April to improve the safety of the crossroads, close to the site where 14-year-old Ben Somers lost his life in October 2008.

But the scheme has already caused problems for some with Steve Salmon, a partner at Bedsenz, in Whitchurch Road, last month claiming it had had a "catastrophic" impact on sales.

Shropshire Council today tried to re-assure motorists and business owners.

Laura Owen, spokeswoman for the council, said: "The work is progressing well and, due to careful planning and 24-hour monitoring, it's causing a lot less inconvenience than originally thought.

"Within the last few weeks, a ]water main has been discovered on the corner of Whitchurch Road and Harlescott Lane. It's under the pavement, but because the road is to be widened it would result in the main being too close to the surface of the road.

"The council has been working closely with Severn Trent Water and is proposing to protect the pipe. This means that the work will take an additional two weeks to complete."