Owen Paterson: Wem would fester without relief road
A market town could "fester" in the future unless a relief road is built, an MP has warned.
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has backed calls for the road to be built, which is hoped would solve Wem's ongoing problems with traffic.
It comes as Mr Paterson organised a meeting with representatives from Wem Town Council, Wem Rural Parish Council and Shropshire Council on Friday about the proposal, which is in its early stages.
Mr Paterson said he hoped people in Wem could agree to support the scheme.
"If Wem doesn't get a relief road the town could fester," he said.
"The traffic problems will only get worse and it will stop people coming to the town.
"What it needs is for the people in the town to agree they want one, the town and parish councils to work with Shropshire Council and then I can help at a national level.
"We will then have to work out where the money is going to come from.
"I would imagine it is going to cost a lot of money. You are going to have to cross the River Roden and the railway.
"One way to raise the money is through CIL money by building more housing, but you need everybody to agree on building more housing in the town."
Residents in the parish will be able to have their say on the prospect of a relief road in a survey as part of Shropshire Council's Local Plan Review.
Penny O'Hagan, clerk to the town council, said: "All residents of Wem will receive a survey through their door in the next two weeks.
"The town council wants to hear the views of residents on the amount of housing development the community wishes to see in Wem in the next 20 years. The survey is a single sheet of yellow A4. Everyone is urged to fill it out and return as your veiws will help shape the future of the town."
The form can be returned to Wem Town Hall, Edinburgh House reception and Wem library.
The closing date to receive completed surveys is December 4.
