Shrewsbury retail park entrance 'like the moon'

Shropshire motorists are calling for "urgent" repairs to a crater-infested entrance at a Shropshire retail park, which is now resembling a moonscape after months of neglect.

The entrance to the Meole Brace Retail Park off Hereford Road in Shrewsbury is blighted with large potholes, cracks and crevices. And large numbers of complaints are being made to stores on the site, maintained by LaSalle Inv- estment Management.

Sainsbury's store manager Peter Briggs said: "We have had a lot of customer complaints and we have followed it up with LaSalle.

"We've contacted them numerous times about getting the road totally refurbished for the customers and staff alike. There have been about two dozen complaints and we want to get it sorted as soon as possible."

Bernadette Donovan, of Church Stretton, said: "I have never seen the road looking this bad.

"I'm not sure whose responsibility it is but something needs to be done about it. If it's a question of funding then you would imagine all the stores could club together to help finance the improvements."

Wendy Stephensons, of Shrewsbury, said: "The standard of the road into the retail park is rubbish. I use the retail part a lot and I think it has been in a bad way since before Christmas."

However Anthony Jackson, of rural Maesbury, said he was used to bumpy roads. "I'm appreciative of any road which has Tarmac on it, although I would like to see something done about it," said Mr Jackson.

Grace Eardly, 22, of Market Drayton, said: "The road is really bad. I've just bought a new Mini and it's becoming a real problem. Whoever is in charge needs to sort it our urgently."

Anna Connell, director of global marketing for LaSalle, said: "The severe weather experienced in recent months resulted in damage to the road surface at the entrance of the estate.

"Temporary repairs were undertaken in January whilst a more comprehensive road resurfacing works package was procured.

"The works order has now been placed with the selected contractor and we are hoping to commence works within the next few weeks. A formal programme for the works has been requested but yet to be received."

By Sam Pinnington