Shrewsbury's mystery hole being filled in

The hole, halfway up Shrewsbury's Pride Hill, had been dug by workers investigating the reasons for a brick, which was set into the walkway, dropping out last week.

But after neither Severn Trent nor Shropshire Council workers were unable to find a reason for the subsidence, the hole has been filled.

The street is expected to be fully reopened to delivery traffic from the end of today.

Tim Sneddon, Shropshire Council's environmental maintenance manager, said: "Our digging on Wednesday revealed no obvious defect with any drains or sewers. Likewise, Severn Trent Water has done a camera survey on their sewer and that too revealed no obvious defects.

"We had another look on Thursday morning but the cause of the subsidence was still not clear. Our best guess is that if there is any water ingress from any source it could be washing the fine sands into any old channels, pipes or culverts, causing the subsidence."

Mr Sneddon said

the street should be reopened to delivery traffic from the end of today.

Meanwhile, a road closure will be put in place in Shrewsbury while work is carried out for a new Travis Perkins builders merchants.

A 24-hour road closure in Battlefield Way will be in place between Knights Way roundabout and the junction at March Way from 9am on July 25 to August 3.

The work will be creating a foul sewer connection for the new Travis Perkins which is currently being constructed after being given the go-ahead at the start of the year.

The development will see £7 million investment and will create 30 jobs when the builders' merchants re-locates from Wood Street. Travis Perkins, City Plumbing Supplies, and Benchmarx will all be based at the 4,000 square metre building which will be divided into five units.

During the work, access to businesses will be off the Harlescott Lane Junction. A diversion will be in place via Vanguard Way, Harlescott Lane and Battlefield Way.