Controversial Shrewsbury relief road would be 'carbon bomb', warns campaigner

The Shrewsbury North West Relief Road (NWRR) would be a “carbon bomb” according to an activist from Better Shrewsbury Transport.

Shropshire Council argues that the reduction in traffic and shorter journey times will help offset air pollution, and that the road will bring a huge economic benefit to the region.

It comes after new figures showed that the total lifetime emissions from the combined NWRR and Oxon Link Road are now over 100,000 tonnes of C02, nearly four times more than the figure the Northern Planning Committee was told when it gave the project approval in October 2023.

The statistics come after the Department for Transport (DfT) changed the carbon assessment process for all major transport schemes, whether delivered by National Highways or councils. In response Shropshire Council has launched a consultation on the new figures.

“These new figures prove the North West Relief Road is a ‘carbon bomb’, said Mike Streetly, of Better Shrewsbury Transport.

“Ever since this scheme had its public consultation in 2020 the council has told residents that the NWRR will reduce emissions from drivers in Shrewsbury.

“Now we learn that’s not true at all. If the council builds the road, they will destroy their own climate emergency declaration and their claim to be a climate leader.

“There is no way that creating 100,000 tonnes of emissions for just four miles of road can be considered acceptable.

“Shropshire needs to play its part in helping the UK stay within the global carbon budget for 1.5 degrees. This road is like pouring petrol on the fire.”

Shropshire Council plans to achieve net zero by 2030, but the initial work on the new Local Transport Plan shows that transport in Shropshire won’t reach net zero by 2050 ‘without significant intervention’ according to WSP, the council’s highways consultants.

The road, which would stretch from Churncote to Battlefield and effectively complete a ring road around Shrewsbury, has been a controversial subject in the county, with record-breaking numbers of objections to the planning application.

Mr Streetly added: “These carbon figures are dry and complicated, but the simple reality is that every gram of carbon we put into the atmosphere will stay there for centuries, impacting our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

“Shropshire is already experiencing devastating flooding and crop failure due to climate-induced rainfall. By building the NWRR the council will be piling misery onto residents. Meanwhile, sustainable alternatives such as improved bus services and safe cycling paths to schools are ignored.”

Councillor Dan Morris, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “The updated DfT assessment process applies to all transport schemes. As it is more stringent, all similar schemes will see an equivalent increase in carbon emissions and offsetting requirements. Key to our commitment to match the new offsetting requirements and balance the carbon emissions produced is the clear evidence of the many benefits the NWRR for people across Shropshire.

“Completing this missing link, the NWRR will reduce average journey times around Shrewsbury by 17 minutes. It will deliver major reductions in traffic, congestion and air pollution in Shrewsbury and many surrounding villages, boost public transport, cycling and walking, and attract new jobs and investment into the county.

“We’re committed to transparency throughout this project to ensure that everyone in our county has access to the full range of facts around the road, so that they, councillors, and ultimately the government, can make an informed decision on what is best for the future of our county.”