Urgent call made for safety boost on A53 at Market Drayton

A desperate plea for safety measures on the A53 by the Gingerbread Man pub has been issued by members of the town's road safety group and endorsed by town councillors.

Road safety campaigners said a pedestrian crossing was desperately needed.

One had previously been on the cards as part of a new Sainsbury's development. However last year the store chain said its application for the Vicon Works Industrial Estate off the A53 was no longer viable due to changing shopping patterns.

Chris Smith, acting chairman of the Market Drayton Road Safety Group, said: "It is an accident waiting to happen.

"There has been so much growth in activity there recently that we now desperately need a crossing.

"We had been promised that it was something that would be installed as part of the deal with the new Sainsbury's store but because that has all fallen through, so have the plans for the crossing.

"Something still needs to be done as it is very busy there. With funding at the moment we are concerned that this is low priority for Shropshire Council but it is something we need.

"The area needs a 40mph limit on it as well so the crossing can be installed."

The issue was also discussed at last week's Market Drayton Town Council meeting.

Councillor Roger Hughes said: "This has been raised as an issue twice before.

"A lot of people cross that road every day.

"It is extremely dangerous and we need to keep pressure on highways for a solution.

"There is also the issue that people use the grass verge as a footpath and it becomes a terrible mess when the ground is wet. It needs sorting. Shawbury has recently had a new level crossing and footpaths so I don't see why we shouldn't.

"We need to make a bit of a fuss as this item as been on our agenda three times now."

Councillor Mark Whittle said: "It is a dangerous spot on market days especially.

"A pedestrian crossing would be perfect for the safety of the general public."

Dave Gradwell, Shropshire Council's area traffic engineer, said: "The provision of a new footway along Adderley Road, and then pedestrian crossing provision on the A53 by the Gingerbread Man Roundabout, has recently been raised by Market Drayton Road Safety Group.

"In order to allow Shropshire Council to consider such a scheme this needs to be put forward by Market Drayton Town Council through Shropshire Council's Road Safety Policy process."