Revamp of Shrewsbury town centre roads is branded 'mad'

Ambulances will find their passage through the town blocked if the major changes to junctions and traffic systems go ahead, a meeting of Shrewsbury Town Council heard.

Plans are in place aimed at improving the appearance of Pride Hill, The Square and Mardol, with further plans including changes to major junctions and traffic systems.

Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package proposes changes to junctions, including a route between Roman Road and the A5112 exit towards the A5, across the Meole Brace roundabout.

The scheme would also see English Bridge reduced to one carriageway in either direction, and Claremont Bank reduced to one lane only. But Councillor Kevin Pardy said these changes could lead to problems for emergency services.

He said: "This town is difficult for any emergency driver to deal with now. It is just going to add more time to arrivals, and the ambulance service is in enough of a state as we have been seeing recently."

"I can't believe what they are doing to the English Bridge. It will cause queues. It is not going to be advantageous at all for emergency drivers."

Councillor Keith Roberts said: "Why you would want to cut English Bridge down to one carriageway out of town? It will be very difficult to get fire vehicles from the fire headquarters up and out of town. It is simply mad."

However, many members said they were in favour of the scheme's attempts to improve the look of the town centre, however, and praised the idea of traffic management signs to direct drivers to favoured routes.

Officers behind the plans are now to be invited to attend a meeting of the town council to discuss the proposals.

Meanwhile, councillors raised concerns at the effect of introducing a link road over the Meole Brace roundabout may have on the area.

Councillor Peter Nutting said: "I am concerned about the whole project It does seem to me a lot of public money could be spent for very little gain if we are not very careful.

"In terms of Meole Brace Roundabout I share views of Friends of the Earth that is is wrong to try and put a road through the middle of the island where various trees are there that would need ripping up. I find it hard to understand what it would achieve."

Councillor Anne Chebsey added: "I am not convinced by anything I have seen that is is not just cosmetic. I can't see how this will significantly change traffic around town.

"I agree Pride Hill needs a facelift but the big issue at Meole Brace is having the one entrance and exit to the retail park."I would like to see less traffic in the town but I am not convinced that the scheme as it stands is anything more than cosmetic."

Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council Alan Moseley added that he thought every scheme in the town should look towards the ambition of pedestrianisation – something he felt was not mentioned in the proposals.

Other councillors feared the scheme also confused members of the public about the council's financial situation.

Councillor Mal Price said: "The problem comes with the funding process. The public see one minute we are cash-strapped and the next spending £12 million. But it is coming through from the government and people are trying to find something to fit the bid."It is the wrong way round, they should figure out first what is needed for the town and then put in a bid for the money."

The plans are available to view and offer feedback on at new.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/shrewsbury-integrated-transport-package/