Vital bridge to Shrewsbury town centre to shut over summer - sparking concern for businesses and popular arts festival
A vital footbridge linking a community to Shrewsbury's town centre will be shut over the sunny summer months, causing concerns for local businesses and a popular arts festival.
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Shropshire Council has confirmed that Greyfriars Bridge, which links Coleham to Shrewsbury town centre via St Julian's Friars, will be blocked off to the public from June 2 to August 5 for refurbishments.
The closure will mean there will be no access over the bridge for the much-loved Belle Vue Arts Festival, which runs from June 7 to 22. The bridge is often colourfully decorated by local children for the festival.
The closure will also be a major blow to businesses in Coleham, which could miss out on summer footfall.
Belle Vue councillor Kate Halliday (Labour) said: “I’m very concerned to hear about the closure of Greyfriars Bridge from a Facebook post.
“I have had no notification about this from Shropshire Council. There has been no consultation with local businesses or residents.
“This is in the middle of the Belle Vue Arts Festival and is an important time for our local economy. Why not at a less busy time of year? Why is the work taking so long?
“I will be asking questions about this!”
The Liberal Democrats in Shrewsbury say they have written to council bosses to "demand a proper explanation" for the decision.
Lib Dem councillor and vice-chair of the Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents' Association Alex Wagner said: "With no consultation for impacted business or residents, Shropshire Council have announced a two-month closure of Greyfriars Bridge at the busiest point of the year. This is an unacceptable way to treat the very people who make our town a brilliant and bustling place to live, work and visit.
"June to August is near enough the worst possible time to have scheduled in works, and will have a wide-ranging negative impact on thousands of people.
"Structural work may be necessary, but surely we don’t need to cut off Coleham and the town centre at the busiest peak of the year for such a long time. And if we do need a long closure for a sensible reason, I’d expect we might consider our options as part of that and treat it as an opportunity to enhance walking and cycling links.
"Lib Dem councillors have contacted Guildhall bosses to demand that a proper explanation is given, and are arguing strongly that these works must take place at a less disruptive time — to make sure we avoid yet another Shropshire Council shambles."
In its announcement about the closure on Facebook, Shropshire Council said: “Greyfriars Bridge in Shrewsbury will be closed from 2 June to 5 August while refurbishment work is carried out on the bridge.
“During the closure a diversion will be in place.”
Shropshire Council has been approached for comment.