Traffic lights among list of ideas to deal with lorry problems in Wem

Wem Town Council is going to ask Shropshire Council to consider a list of solutions to tackle the problem of HGVs in the town.

The debate followed a public meeting held to discuss the results of an HGV survey. It was conducted in response to concerns about the presence of large vehicles in Wem town centre, particularly in Mill Street and High Street.

Councillors said the traffic lights system could be similar to one introduced in Much Wenlock. It involves introducing traffic signals that will detect when two large vehicles are approaching the pinch point from opposite directions.

They would then hold one line of traffic to enable one large vehicle to pass through.

Councillor Chris Mellings, Shropshire Councillor for Wem, said: "It is not the number of HGV's that are passing through Wem but the serious impact it is having on our streets.

"We have a medieval street pattern in the 21st century. It is how we manage it which is the question.

"Traffic managing solutions will not please everyone. They had a similar problem in Much Wenlock where they have installed a traffic light system to control movement.

"If it could technically work and was properly implemented, maybe Wem could have a similar system."

At a meeting of Wem Town Council on Thursday councillors also suggested Shropshire Council look at a possible one-way system in the town and a review of HGV signs to ease the long-standing traffic problems.

Councillor Edward Towers said the idea of a bypass should also not be ruled out.

He said: "I do not want a bypass dismissed because of costs.

"We need to keep mentioning it to Shropshire Council.

"Our concern is the economy of the town and creating a pleasant environment for all.

"The bypass would need to be near enough to the town to be useful but to not take economy away. We would have to be very careful.

"There has to be a big solution and we need to push for it."

Councillor Connie Granger added: "Money is always found for Telford and Shrewsbury. Millions is spent on those towns.

"When it comes to us we don't get the money."

Councillors voted to write to Shropshire Council with a list of solutions to look into.

These included creating a loading bay outside Natwest, reviewing HGV signs in the town and surrounding areas, looking into a lighting system similar to Much Wenlock, considering whether a one-way system is suitable and looking at a relief road.