Pledge on Easter traffic as roadworks continue

Roadworks are currently taking place to install traffic lights and improve safety at the Maesbury Road junction, on the A483 in Oswestry.

The works are set to last for five months, and traffic lights in both directions have been causing major tailbacks for drivers. Two other sets of traffic lights have also been installed between Oswestry and Llanymynech as part of separate roadworks.

Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, when motorists will use the road to travel out of Shropshire towards the Welsh coast, Highways England says it will attempt to suspend many of the works, leaving only essential barriers in place.

Spokesman Mark Round said: "We are always listening to what motorists are telling us and always try to minimise disruption leading up to Bank Holidays when many people go away on breaks or visit family.

"In our experience the weekend is the busiest time, which is why we have suspended roadworks on the majority of roads. However, it is not possible to remove all roadworks due to safety reasons.”

Since the roadworks began earlier this month, traffic problems have surfaced along Weston Road, leading from Maesbury Road into Morda.

With access to the A483 at Maesbury Road closed, heavy goods vehicles were using the road, and two lorries got stuck as they tried to avoid the roadworks.

Residents complained about unsuitable and speeding traffic on the lane, and one woman walking her dog told the local councillor she was forced to press herself into a hedge when two vehicles tried to pass each other.

Shropshire Councillor Joyce Barrow stepped in, and the local authority issued a weight limit on the bridge on Weston Road, with extra signage installed to warn lorry drivers.

Delays likely on roads and rail

Travellers hoping to get away this Easter will face continued traffic trouble on the region’s motorways and possible train delays as well.

Highways England has confirmed works on the Oldbury Viaduct will remain in place this weekend. That means a reduced speed limit on the seven-mile stretch south of the M54, from the M6 Junction 8 for the M5 to M5 junction three at Oldbury.

Highways England, which is in charge of motorways and major A-roads, said it was finishing or lifting roadworks on 99 per cent of the network from 6am today, with only ‘essential works’ left in place, or those it could not remove ‘due to safety reasons’.

But the works at the M5/M6 junction cannot be lifted. RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said the organisation has predicted 18 million journeys on the roads from today to Monday – one million more journeys than the same period last year.

Meanwhile, delays are also expected on train services from Shropshire travelling through Wolverhampton and Birmingham train stations as a result of improvements to the West Coast main line.

London’s Euston station will close on Sunday due to the rail improvements.

Services on the Saturday and Easter Monday are due to be busier as fewer trains than normal will be running.