Shrewsbury town centre road closure for gas works
Gas works will cause disruption for motorists in Shrewsbury for the next three weeks – but, once laid, the new pipes should last for more than 80 years.
Work starts on Monday and will see Copthorne Road closed to Westbound traffic between the Frankwell Roundabout and New Street for around 12 days.
National Grid will be carrying out the work, which will see the old iron gas mains replaced.
Company spokeswoman, Sara Wilcox, said: "National Grid will be carrying out essential work to secure gas supplies to homes and businesses in Shrewsbury for decades to come. Engineers will be renewing ageing gas mains in Copthorne Road, from Frankwell roundabout to New Street.
"Work starts on Monday, March 20, and is due to take three weeks. The existing iron gas mains will be replaced with tough new plastic pipes that will last for at least 80 years."
Ms Wilcox said the road closures are required to ensure the safety of the public while the work is completed.
She said: "The first stage of the work will involve installing the new pipes across Copthorne Road, close to Frankwell roundabout. To keep staff and road-users safe this section of Copthorne Road will be closed to westbound traffic - traffic heading out of Shrewsbury. A signed diversion route will be in place via The Mount, B4380 Shelton Road and Copthorne Road. Traffic heading into Shrewsbury will not be affected. Once the road crossing is complete the road will be reopened to westbound traffic.
"Engineers will then replace the pipe running down Copthorne Road to New Street. This will involve upgrading the pipe in the junction of New Street and Copthorne Road. While work is taking place in the junction, traffic will not be able to enter New Street from Copthorne Road. Drivers will still be able to exit New Street and turn into Copthorne Road."
Motorists in Shrewsbury are already faced with delays and diversions due to extensive work being carried out at Meole Brace roundabout.
And there have been major delays this week in Telford.
Telford & Wrekin Council offered an apology to motorists after some people were stuck in cars for up to an hour.
Monday morning saw traffic at a standstill with chaotic scenes and traffic backed up on the A442 and from the M54 - caused by the closure of the North Bridge at the Randlay Interchange.
Lois Winstanley of Telford & Wrekin Council said: "There were significant delays, with traffic backing up around Telford Town Centre.
"The North Bridge at Randlay Interchange was closed for essential works and this is what caused the problems as drivers sought other routes to avoid this.
"We opened up one of the lanes on the bridge to ease the situation but traffic was still moving slowly.
"The bridge will be closed for two weeks and we are now looking to improve signing on the approach to the Randlay Interchange so that drivers can take alternative routes. We have also adjusted the timings of lights at Hollinswood Interchange."
"We hope these actions will help and will be closely monitoring the situation. We are really sorry for the delays."
