'Gyratory bus stop relocation doesn't make sense'

Nathan Thorley, manager of Iron & Flame cafe, says he has experienced reduced trade due to the changes

Businesses have raised concerns about the relocation of a bus stop as part of a new road system in Shrewsbury town centre.

Work on the town's gyratory system began in June 2024 and was completed earlier this year, which changed the road layout near the railway station.

The gyratory has been reduced to just one lane with the addition of a cycle lane and a bus stop, but some locals have called the changes "baffling" and "bizarre".

Nathan Thorley, manager at the Iron and Fire Cafe by the train station, said the business had experienced reduced trade due to customers avoiding the area.

"We have reduced trade after a certain amount of time, and that's mainly due to people not wanting to come down to this end of town when they know so much of it is going to take an eternity to get around," he said.

"Quite a few customers have come in [saying] they haven't been able to come down to this end of town because it's all changed around - with the bus stop being added, it could become more of an issue than it was before."

Other changes include Chester Street becoming two-way for traffic, new pedestrian crossings, wider pavements under the railway bridge resulting in one lane for vehicles instead of two, and changes to the entrance of the railway station car park.

Jaden Ball, who works at Bird & Beer, on Castle Foregate, said the bus stop on the cycle lane "makes no sense".

He also said the congestion in the area would have a negative impact on emergency vehicles trying to get through.

"We would have a lot of space for chairs outside, but because it's so backed up, emergency vehicles would need to use the kerb.

"They wanted to reduce pollution, but I don't think they have at all. If anything it's way worse.

"Nobody can get anywhere on time purely because of the new system they're trying to create."

Jaden Ball raises concerns that emergency vehicles will have issues getting through the area

Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said the administration understands residents' frustrations.

He said: "Since day one we have been working with officers to make the best of a very difficult situation and improve matters for residents.

"Council officers are working to understand the necessary legalities around the future placement of bus stops and the passage of emergency vehicles, which will benefit most of all from reduced traffic and congestion in the town centre."

Wagner said that the scheme was funded by the government under the previous Conservative-led administration.

He continued: "Funding is not currently available to make significant changes to the scheme, with the strings attached to the plans and funding which we have inherited.

"The above said, initial monitoring has shown that journeys from the north of Shrewsbury towards Smithfield Road have slightly improved by using Chester Street.

"We would recommend that drivers check live traffic data before making journeys, as the fastest route may not be the same as it was before the work."