Shropshire Council bids to ease Whitchurch's traffic woes

No final decisions have been made but Shropshire Council officials want to address the layout of Whitchurch High Street.

The issue was raised at the start of the year by Simon Lyon, from the town's chamber of trade and commerce. He initially said the layout of the High Street needs to be changed due to lorries blocking the area when they are unloading.

Mr Lyon suggested parts of the pavement and road should be merged and areas set aside for delivery.

He said: "We live in a busy town, which is growing, with lots of thriving businesses that have deliveries. I don't think the layout of the town centre is suitable any more.

"Delivery vans have to park on the pavement and people can't get past. It also damages the pavement. I think parts of the pavement and road should be merged and areas set aside for delivery.

"The town is getting busier and it can be a nightmare driving around. It is only going to get worse as more new houses are built."

Peggy Mullock, chair of Whitchurch Local Joint Committee, said: "Shaun Sutton, from Shropshire Council, came to our latest meeting to talk us through initial plans which show different bays in the High Street will be designated for lorries to unload in. This will then go to public consultation.

"We now want ideas from the public and traders. Anyone with an idea should contact the chamber of trade."

At a previous meeting of Whitchurch Local Joint Committee, Nicki Young, community enablement officer for Shropshire Council, said it would cost £3,000 to add more loading bays in the High Street.

Meanwhile, a consultation is ongoing after safety fears were raised about vehicles driving into Watergate Street, known as The Bullring, in Whitchurch.

Shropshire Council says the existing traffic regulation order for The Bullring allows vehicles to enter the pedestrian zone at any time to load and unload, but wants to probit loading and unloading between 10am and 4pm because of the risks to pedestrian safety.