Council backs plan to retain Shrewsbury town centre bus station
Another costly review of Shrewsbury’s future traffic and transport aspirations could be carried out after the leader of Shropshire Council said current plans – including removal of the bus station – did not reflect the wishes of town residents.
Peter Nutting has warned that “serious money” will need to be spent on commissioning a fresh movement strategy to support the Big Town Plan, addressing car parking, bus provision and measures to remove traffic from the town centre.
Speaking at a meeting of Shrewsbury Town Council, called to discuss the Big Town Plan vision document currently out to consultation, Councillor Nutting said far more work was needed to properly understand how people currently move around the town and what needs to change.
He also told fellow councillors that his vision for a parkway station next to the A5 near Preston Boats Island could help to alleviate congestion around the railway station.
The town council voted unanimously to request the retention of a bus station in the town centre and for a new movement strategy to be prepared.
Town council leader Alan Mosley said the masterplan had the potential to “rescue” Shrewsbury from the economic downturn brought about by the Covid pandemic.
He said: “It’s a way of engaging with residents about the type of town that they want to live and work and play in.
“It’s certainly a medium to sell the town to people outside and it’s a catalyst for development.
“But it isn’t a blueprint, it isn’t written in stone anywhere. I don’t expect that everyone will agree with everything in the document this evening.
“I certainly don’t agree with everything that’s in the document. I think there are some areas that are weak and require further work, and I think the movement strategy is one of those areas that definitely requires significant amounts of further work.”
Deputy mayor Julian Dean said the suggestion of removing the central bus station was a concern.
