Relief as homes plan by Wem level crossing refused

The Wem Train Station Safer Group has welcomed Shropshire Council's decision to turn down a scheme for the homes between Aston Road and Church Lane in Wem.

The controversial plans for the development were initially given permission at a meeting of the north planning committee in February earlier this year, subject to planning conditions.

But since changes to Shropshire Council's development plan – the SAMDev plan – councillors have now refused the scheme.

Melanie Benbow, who set up the group, said: "It comes a relief to many, but it won't to others as homes are much sought after in Wem with it being a central town to all other commuting areas for work purposes.

Tailbacks

"But I feel being that side of the station it would have caused more traffic all day and night crossing over to the town or ways to get to other places and schools.

"With the ever-so-menacing issues the level crossing will continue to have, I fear the tailbacks would cause even more problems."

The level crossing, on Aston Street, is known to cause traffic build-up by regularly closing for long periods due to signal and equipment faults.

Mrs Benbow said she feared the approval of the large scheme would have caused further problems for existing residents in the town.

She said: "Homes are needed in Wem because it's growing so big with the population of people wanting to be here, but before the houses are built maybe they need to broaden the plans to make them work and fit in.

"They could be turning roads into main two-lane roads or making a bypass from the over-usage of the station.

They need to look a little further out before putting up yet more homes."

Speaking at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee earlier this week, Wem town councillor Edward Towers said: "We are concerned the infrastructure of the town could not absorb this. The financial contribution would not make a dent on what is needed to sort out the traffic issues in the area."

Pauline Dee, Shropshire councillor for Wem, said:

"We are very concerned about the pressures on Wem – the schools and doctors are full to capacity. The level crossing is still not right and this is a worry. Until that has been sorted there should not be development near it."