Chaos as fallen tree blocks road
Motorists on their way to work and dropping children off to school were delayed this morning on the road between Much Wenlock and Ironbridge when a fallen tree blocked the A4169.
The tree had come down just outside Much Wenlock and traffic was brought to a standstill as the fallen tree covered the entire road.
With no other routes available the traffic was forced to drive onto the grass verge to get past the tree, which had come down during a heavy shower.
West Mercia Police said they received a call about the tree just before 9am and rushed to the scene with Shropshire Council engineers and members ofthe highways contractor Ringway.
Police took control of the traffic flow as engineers got to work cutting up the tree and removing it from the scene.
Police spokesman Chris Ammonds said that police officers were at the scene throughout the morning and there were queues of traffic on both sides of the road as the tree was made safe.
Eventually one side of the road was opened and stop and go signs were used to help manage the flow of vehicles and clear any tailbacks.
Sergeant Stuart Wells, who was at the scene, said: "The tree had blocked the carriage way, both ourselves and the council were trying to clear the area. We were more worried as there was a large piece of timber overhanging and when we used the chainsaw we were worried it could drop and block the road again."
The tree was in full leaf and appeared healthy, and it is thought it may have toppled following the torrential rain which had made the ground unstable.
