Shrewsbury super-surgery sees planning hurdle lifted

There were concerns about the development of the new Riverside Medical Practice at Raven Meadows because a bus layover – where drivers park buses and prepare services between journeys – is on the site.

However, a new report says the bus layover could be relocated.

The practice has more than 10,000 patients on its books.

The proposed centre is less than 200 metres away from Riverside’s current location and would include provision for an on-site pharmacy and improved disabled access.

Under detailed plans lodged with Shropshire Council this week by Matrix Medical, working on behalf of the practice, the new surgery would be spread over four floors.

The proposed site is currently used as a bus layover for a number of local bus operators on a regular basis.

Shrewsbury bus station, opposite the site, is operated by Arriva and they provide limited capacity for buses to wait at the bus stands, so there is a requirement for an additional bus layover area for drivers between services or during break periods.

There is currently capacity for up to 11 buses on the site, and six buses use the site daily, but do not arrive at the same time.

The report says that the existing provision is "excessive" as on average the site is used by 1.5 to two buses at any one time.

The report adds: "This shows that there are very few occasions when more than two buses are waiting at any one time.

"The services using the site are typically rural buses that cover longer than typical routes with a reduced service timetable compared to the more mainstream services, hence the requirement for a replacement bus layover location is wholly understood and accepted as a principle."

The proposed alternative long term parking location for those using the bus layover is Frankwell car park, as it already has designated coach parking areas.

However, drivers with just a five or 10 minute wait will stay on Raven Meadows within the vicinity of the current site on the street within designated bus waiting areas.

The report adds: "The provision of satisfactory and deliverable solutions for both long term and short term layover locations demonstrates how the loss of the current bus layover site can be wholly mitigated."

Concerns have also been raised about the level of parking provision on the site.

A decision on the plans will be made by Shropshire Council in the coming months.