Drivers facing 18 months of delays in Telford Town Centre roadworks
Motorists will face 18 months of disruption when major roadworks begin in Telford this month, it was warned today.
Works on the town centre box will start on September 30 – and won't be complete until Spring 2015.
The £11.8 million scheme aims to improve the road for motorists and pedestrians, enhancing access between the £250m Southwater development and Telford Shopping Centre.
Preparatory work will begin to make the box road two-way before construction works starts properly in mid October.
Councillor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for Transport, said: "This is a very major change for the town centre and it very much reflects the aim of the Southwater development in creating a more traditional town centre feel.
"The current Box Road is too fast and not a good environment for cyclists or pedestrians and this scheme will make it safer while at the same time improving traffic flows in and around the town centre."
The first phase of the scheme will include Malinslee roundabout and St Quentin Gate. These works will be completed by the end of the year in time for the opening of the new Asda store and Southwater developments.
The second phase will be completed next year and will include Malinsgate and Woodhouse Central during spring followed by Lawn Central during summer and Grange Central during autumn.
The final phase will include Coach Central and these works are due to take place during winter 2014/early 2015.
Telford & Wrekin Council has appointed Ringway Infrastructure Services as the managing contractor for the scheme, and the Highways Agency will be installing traffic lights on the Forge roundabout and widening the carriageway around the island to three lanes. It aims to improve traffic flow to and from the M54 with the aim of reducing queues on to the motorway.
Roads and town centre car parks will stay open during the work although there may be some phased road closures and the two-way traffic flow will come into effect in phases when work on each section is completed.
A low rise central reservation will be installed around the length of the box road and the roads will be resurfaced and pavements improved as part of the process.
