Joy as Shrewsbury North West Relief Road wins £54 million Government funding bid
After more than 50 years of campaigning Shrewsbury's North West Relief Road will became a reality after Shropshire Council secured £54 million of Government funding.
Shrewsbury's MP Daniel Kawczynski was called in for a late night meeting with the Secretary of State for transport Chris Grayling on Monday night to be told that Shrewsbury had won in its bid for the multi-million pound scheme.
A formal announcement is imminent and due to be made within the coming days.
"I am absolutely delighted to be able to say that in the face of stiff competition, we have won," said Mr Kawczynski.
WATCH: Fly over the new road
"We have been talking about this for 50 years and we have finally got the money.
"The late Graham Galliers gave me insight as to why this was of critical importance to Shrewsbury at a time when the community was divided as to the need for the road.
"People did not like the thought of construction but now everybody is in favour of this road. They can see how vital it is.
"I have campaigned in the commons to secure meetings and have worked very closely with Shropshire Council. Councillor Steve Davenport and Councillor Peter Nutting have been instrumental in pushing for this.
"It is very rare to be called in for a meeting with the Secretary of State, I did wonder what I had done but he told me to get myself ready as he is going to make an announcement that we are going to get the funding.
"I know that politicians promise things in their manifestos and there were some people who said it would be impossible but I did not take no for an answer."
Mr Kawczynski is keen that, once the road is opened, recognition is paid to Mr Galliers for the role he played in stressing the importance of the road to Shrewsbury.
"He was one of those people with the foresight to see how we needed this road. He came to me 10 years ago and said this is one of the single most important issues to campaign for otherwise Shrewsbury would grind to a halt. When you see the growth that is projected in Shrewsbury this is extremely important for the community," he added.
Last night Mr Kawczynski tweeted:
Councillor Steve Davenport, Shropshire Councils' cabinet member for transport and highways posted:
The road would act as a missing link for a Shrewsbury bypass, completing an outer ring road around the town.
The end points of the NWRR have been determined by the existing Battlefield Link Road in the north, and the planned Oxon Link Road in the west. These roads were designed as precursors of a NWRR, and each provides access to important employment and development areas.
The proposed Oxon Link Road is included in the Marches LEP’s £75 million Growth Deal and if successful in seeking planning permission, will be delivered by 2021 as part of the proposed western sustainable urban extension.
