Major roadworks on A49 near Shrewsbury are now extended
After almost 10 weeks of road closures, diversions, temporary traffic lights and lane closures, roadworks near Shrewsbury have been extended.
Lorry drivers face a diversion of 54 miles after contractors started working on the A49 on November 13, while a two-mile stretch closed for urgent resurfacing work.
The work started between Dobbies Island, Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, and the turning for Condover.
For the first week, the road was closed to the village of Dorrington while resurfacing work was carried out. Then Kier, which was appointed by Highways England to carry out the work, used traffic lights to regulate the flow of vehicles.
There was a local, non-HGV diversion through surrounding villages while for other traffic, there was a diversion along the A5 to the A458 to Much Wenlock, then on to the B4368 towards Craven Arms before finally turning back on to the A49 where the diversion ended
A week later on November 20, more work began on the A49 to reduce the visible impact of the road for nearby residents.
The work took place until November 30 under lane closure with temporary traffic lights.
Members of the Facebook page “A49 local traffic news between Shrewsbury and Leominster” expressed their dismay when the news about the road works was revealed.
The work ended over the weekend.
The work was due to end on Friday but have now been extended to this Friday afternoon, Highways England said.
Shrewsbury mayor Jane MacKenzie said residents were “fed up” with the roadworks.
She said: “Shrewsbury has been hit so much lately and people are so fed up of it all.
“We ought to be asking why isn’t there a strategic plan for the roadworks.”
