'Lives at risk' over traffic delays to fire crews

Shrewsbury Fire Station is based near the railway station and gyratory system

"Life and safety" is at risk as the journeys of fire crews are complicated by Shrewsbury's new gyratory traffic system, the body overseeing Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned.

David Minnery, chairman of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority, said crews may need an additional presence on the other side of the river in Shrewsbury if they were to better navigate routes to emergencies.

"People have got a right to expect that we will get there as quickly as we possibly can and at the moment we cannot guarantee that we can do that in a lot of Shrewsbury," he said.

Shropshire Council said aspects of the system needed review and its deputy leader would meet Mr Minnery to discuss his concerns.

Mr Minnery, who is also a member of Shropshire Council, said previously that fire engines had had to use a cycle lane in a bid to get away from traffic.

In a fresh safety appraisal, he told the BBC: "I think we've already identified that we might have a need [to be on] the other side of the river anyway in the future because of growing population, and we have already started to look for potential sites to position an appliance.

"We have to provide this service for the public and we have to make sure that we do it under our own terms."

Fire engines have been using a cycle lane to avoid traffic jams

At a recent council meeting, it was heard that there had been "glitches" with new high-tech lights within the traffic system.

A council officer said a change of sequencing could be looked into.

On Friday, council leader Heather Kidd said: "I have never known the traffic as bad as it was on Monday and Tuesday of this week. It was far worse than I have ever seen it."

Mr Minnery said he did not believe it was realistic to scrap the entire gyratory scheme, but added the fire service was not consulted on its introduction.

"We do have to find something that works that allows emergency vehicles quicker access than we're currently getting," he said.