Drivers to face weeks of delays in Shrewsbury roundabout redesign
Motorists face weeks of delays as work to redesign a busy roundabout in Shrewsbury gets under way.
Meole Brace roundabout will be dug up as part of a project starting at the end of the month. The roadworks will not end until early next year.
The work will create a link road and shared-use pathway through the island. Traffic signals will also be upgraded in the roadworks, which start on October 31.
The new road and pathway will be created between Roman Road and the A5112 exit towards the A5. Some lane closures will be put in place and to minimise disruption during the festive period, work will finish on December 2 and begin again in the New Year.
Shropshire Council says the work will help the town deal with future traffic levels, reduce congestion and improve pedestrian and cyclist links.
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This work is the first stage of an important package that will provide a wide range of economic benefits for Shrewsbury and a real boost to the town centre, by removing traffic from the town, and improving things for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
"We've developed a traffic management plan that aims to maintain traffic flows whilst work is carried out at the roundabout, but some disruption may be unavoidable.
"Whilst we deliver these improvements we ask people for their patience and support and offer our apologies for any inconvenience that may be caused."
The Meole Brace works mark the first phase of the multi-million pound Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP).
Mr Jones said: "This important work, and all of the work being carried out as part of the SITP, will be carried out at no cost to Shropshire Council and is a great example of how Shropshire can attract and benefit from external funding."
It is hoped the work will discourage drivers from using the town centre as a through route, and make better use of the town's outer and inner ring roads instead.
Under the plans, work will be carried out over the next 11 months to improve four major junctions around the 'inner bypass', at Meole Brace roundabout, English Bridge Gyratory, Reabrook roundabout and Longden Coleham – including improved crossings at many of these junctions.
At the same time, a number of improvements are planned for the town centre to make it more attractive and appealing for pedestrians, and to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access the town centre and find their way around.
It is anticipated that it will lead to improved journey times and journey time reliability.
The whole scheme will cost £12m, with £6m coming from the Marches LEP, and £6m from developer contributions under the community infrastructure levy and section 106 payments.
Within the town centre there will be a number of improvements to roads and pavements to help provide a boost to the town's economy. Pride Hill will be enhanced, with a new surface, new street furniture and improved greenery and there will also be improvements along High Street, Shoplatch, Bellstone and Town Walls.
