Roadworks cause hold-ups for Oswestry motorists
Motorists were caught up in lengthy queues because of three-way traffic lights in place as major pipe replacement work is being carried out on one of the main routes into a town.
The temporary traffic lights were brought in earlier this month as major pipe replacement work is being carried out on the B5069 Gobowen Road in Oswestry, by contractors from Wales & West Utilities.
Yesterday motorists faced queues of up to 15 minutes during the morning rush hour.
Clare Williams, from Gobowen, described the hold-ups as a "nightmare".
She said: "I was stuck for a good 15 minutes, I saw through light changes, it was a nightmare.
"I appreciate these works have to be carried out but surely the traffic lights could come down during the morning and afternoon busy rush hour times, and then back up again afterwards.
"I've heard that the roadworks are taking place until at least June, so I will be avoiding that route until then."
Despite the firm initially hoping the works would be complete by June 4, today the firm say they expect the works to have been finished as of this morning.
Peter Hughes, Wales & West Utilities operational manager for Shropshire, said: "We are working on Gobowen Road in Oswestry to upgrade old metal gas pipes to new plastic ones.
"This £98,000 investment is essential to keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area – and make sure the gas network is fit for the future.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances our work will be finished and the road returned to normal this morning, almost two weeks ahead of schedule."
He added: "We would like to thank the local community for bearing with us while we carried out this important upgrade work.
"We know that working on roads like this one is not ideal, but it really is essential to support the area into the future."
