'Racetrack road' prompts urgent safety review calls

A Land Rover ended up on its side following one incident on Shrewsbury Road in Market Drayton

A busy road in Shropshire has been described as a "racetrack" as locals call for urgent traffic calming measures.

It comes after a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a multi-vehicle crash on Shrewsbury Road in Market Drayton.

The collisions, on 1 July, left a Land Rover teetering on its side close to several properties.

Market Drayton Town Council members have discussed the problem, and have also contacted Shropshire Council's highways team about it, after a resident wrote to councillors over safety concerns.

Last month's crash saw a parked car flipped over by a vehicle that then smashed into two other vehicles and damaged three walls.

"Shrewsbury Road has effectively become a racetrack, especially during late night and early morning hours when the road is quieter," the resident said.

The issue has put strain on emergency services as well as causing distress to residents faced with financing repairs, he said.

"My own parked car was written off by a speeding vehicle in 2021," they said.

"My partner's car was also written off – and incredibly, his vehicle was written off again.

"These are not just statistics. These are ongoing, traumatic disruptions to our daily lives and our sense of safety in our own homes."

'Cannot wait'

In 2022 an elderly man was struck by a speeding vehicle and left in a critical condition, the resident said.

They added that last year a pedestrian crossing and fence leading to a primary school were also destroyed in another crash.

"Now a nursery is being built, which will bring even more parents with babies and young children into the area," the resident continued.

"It is completely unacceptable that they should have to navigate a road where high-speed collisions are a regular occurrence.

"It is only a matter of time before another serious injury – or death – occurs. We cannot wait for that moment to act."

Market Drayton Town Council has agreed to contact the highways department at Shropshire Council to discuss improving safety in the area.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.