Some villagers 'relieved' over new road approval

Construction of the North West Relief Road in Shrewsbury was first proposed in the 1980s

Some people living in villages north-west of Shrewsbury have said they feel “relief” that plans for a new road are progressing.

Although the scheme has divided opinion among locals, Shropshire Council said the new North West Relief Road would help reduce congestion in places like Ruyton-XI-Towns.

Campaigners who oppose the scheme have raised more than £25,000 towards the cost of a judicial review.

More than 100,000 people have also signed a petition to save a tree which would be cut down when the road is built.

Those in favour of the road argue it would prevent traffic cutting through surrounding small villages such as Ruyton-XI-Towns.

A set of 63 planning conditions for the new road were approved this week.

Councillor Trevor Allison believes the new route will stop HGVs travelling through Ruyton-XI-Towns

Councillor Trevor Allison from Ruyton-XI-Towns Parish Council said: “It will remove some of the long distance HGVs that don’t need to come this way, probably just relying on their satnav.”

It will also make the area safer for pedestrians, he added.

“Parents are reluctant to let their children walk along Church Street because of the number of vehicles going along it.”

Yoland Brown says she is relieved the new road has been given the go-ahead

Another of those in favour of the new road is Yoland Brown who has run the Brownhill House bed and breakfast since the 1970s.

She says she is “relieved” the road will soon be built.

“The sooner they get on with it the better," she said.

“The traffic is horrendous here, we get loads and loads of big wagons coming through.”

Shropshire Council estimates 19,000 journeys are made per day on Smithfield Road in Shrewsbury town centre each day.

Councillor Dan Morris thinks the new road will make the streets safer for pedestrians

Councillor Dan Morris said: “We believe it will make journey times quicker for people in Shrewsbury and Shropshire.

“It will make the roads safer for people walking through the town and the satellite villages.”

He believes it will also ease pollution.

But that is disputed by those against the new road.

Campaigner Mike Streetly said: “This road is a disaster for the climate emergency.”

Claire Kirby, who is also opposed to the new road, said she believes the council should focus on providing more bus services and cycle routes.

“The only way you’re going to solve congestion in the town is to take traffic off the roads rather than building a new road which is going to put more traffic on the roads,” she said.