Council confident about Shrewsbury relief road funding
Shropshire Council is confident about getting funding for the North West Relief Road ahead of the forthcoming government announcement
The Department for Transport has now said it aims to announce which schemes will receive funding for instruction this summer.
The local authority's place and overview committee met yesterday to discuss a report which suggested the project could be delayed for a year due to delays over funding confirmation.
However, councillor Steve Davenport, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, told members: "It's been on the cards for a long time now and we're closer now than we have ever been. It is thought we would get the North West Relief Road in this parliament."
He is meeting roads minister Jesse Norman next week, alongside Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski and fellow councillor, Nic Laurens, and will report back to council next week.
Councillor Laurens said: "The timing of the announcement is key. There is work we want to do but don't want to start something then get the North West Relief Road."
The council is asking the government for £54 million for the scheme from the Transports Local Majors Fund and will also make a contribution of almost £17 million.
Chairman Councillor Gwilym Butler said: "I believe it will be forthcoming at some stage. But if it's not imminent we need to look into short term measures we need to make.
"However, I don't think the government would let us get this far, and waste so much money, if it was not going to go forward."
Members also asked for a 'plan B' in case the council is not successful in its bid.
Chris Edwards, head of infrastructure and communities said there is still funding for the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Plan which deals with traffic issues in town.
He added: "That has still got another couple of years and a few phases to go. It will be unaffected by the announcement about the North West Relief Road.
"There is always a wish list of schemes on the Local Transport Plan and there may be other funding options for us to look into."
The council believes the construction of the road, which will run from Shelton to Battlefield and link up with the yet-to-be-built Oxon link road, will reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and reduce delays.
Mr Kawczynski is also meeting with MP Robert Jenrick on June 4 to raise the scheme with him in capacity as the exchequer secretary to the treasury.
