Onibury level crossing closure: Anger and chaos for drivers as work starts

There was traffic chaos in Onibury near Craven Arms because of the closure of the A49 between Church Stretton and Ludlow in order to completely rebuild the level crossing.

The closure has resulted in traffic heading between Shrewsbury and Hereford being sent on a 60-mile diversion via Bridgnorth and Kidderminster.

One frustrated tourist claimed they had driven "100 miles out of their way and were lost" due to the closure, while residents in the area reported that a lorry became stuck in Back Lane on Saturday morning due to a queue of vehicles travelling in the opposite direction trying to pass it.

Many drivers ignored yellow diversion signs only to find themselves forced to make U-turns in Onibury village outside the Apple Tree pub, and some ignored traffic notices warning them not to travel along Back Lane in the direction of Ludlow Racecourse for the duration of the level crossing project to avoid congestion.

It wasn't a promising start for people living in the area, who say they are now bracing themselves for a period of chaos and confusion for those travelling through the area.

Onibury resident Rowena Seaton said: "The job has to be done and the authorities seem quite confident that it is going to mean less work in the coming years. It is inconvenient, but I think we have had plenty of warning despite some people saying that we hadn't. There were meetings in the village hall and there has been quite a lot of communication.

"The workmen were here last night. They did keep us awake, but they have been fantastic and apologetic for disturbing us. They will be done soon enough.

"It's probably more of an issue for people trying to find their way round on the roads. A lorry got stuck in Back Lane which is supposed to be closed to eastbound traffic for the duration of the rail works, but people have been going up and down it which is bound to cause problems for large vehicles."

One interested party to the roadworks is Adrian Wyatt, 71, who lives in the old station and has been watching the progress of the works literally on his doorstep. He spent a while on Saturday meaning on his fence chatting to workmen.

Licensees Gill and Andy Bevan, of the nearby Apple Tree pub, said they had concerns about losing trade.

"It's either going to be make of break for us and only time will tell. We're hopeful that because people are being forced to come pass that more of them will notice us and maybe come and pay us a visit. It;s not the first time that the crossing has been closed in the last couple of years. Let's hope that they do a proper job on it this time," Mrs Bevan said.

Contractors carrying out the work on behalf of Network Rail have been very visible at the site and will continue until 6am on July 10.

The road crossing is used by approximately 6,000 vehicles daily and vehicles approach it at an angle which has caused a deterioration of the surface and pot-holes.

Network Rail says the work cannot wait and the inconvenience of the next couple of weeks will mean less disruption in the future`.

The work also meant the closure of the Shrewsbury to Hereford line over the weekend, a situation that will be repeated next weekend.