Gledrid roundabout: Road firms hits back at criticism of works near Oswestry
Work to improve a busy roundabout that will result in six months of overnight closures will cut delays and reduce collisions, Highways England have said.
The firm responsible for maintaining and improving England's motorways and major roads have insisted the planned improvement works on the Gledrid roundabout, near Oswestry, starting in January, will benefit road users, after attracting criticism.
The improvements have been described as a "waste of money" this week by Councillor Ralph Cooper, chairman of Weston Rhyn Parish Council.
He said he believed dualling the A5 should be prioritised over the improvements to the roundabout.
Councillor Cooper also criticised the £4 million works carried out on the Mile End Roundabout in Oswestry, in 2014.
The roundabout was redesigned as part of pinch-point improvements.
He said the new road layout causes issues for motorists, with many people struggling because the lanes are "too narrow".
James Wildman, spokesman for Highways England, said: "We are looking to introduce a safety scheme at the Gledrid roundabout next year.
"We've already improved the Mile End roundabout by widening the approaches to cut delays and minimise collisions and our works at Gledrid will also improve motorists' journeys.
"The A5 is being looked at as part of an ongoing process and we're taking all views on board."
The £700,000 improvement scheme – which will take about six months to complete – will involve the widening of the A5 to the north and southbound approaches.
It will also see the widening the A5 northbound exit, carriageway resurfacing, footway construction and the removal and replacement of the existing signing and lining.
As well as this, the project will see the removal and installation of lighting columns, as well as drainage and vegetation clearance.
Roads approaching the roundabout will be affected between 9pm and 6am from January 26 through to June 2, when the work will take place.
Last week North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, who has campaigned for 20 years to see the A5 dualled, said the work on the roundabout was needed, but reiterated his call for the improvements to the A5.
The roundabout is one of the biggest in the region, used by thousands of vehicles every day.
Traffic will be diverted through Chirk during the work.
