Shrewsbury traffic plan not reliant on relief road

The aim of the plan is to make traffic flow better through the centre of Shrewsbury

Plans to improve traffic flow in Shrewsbury could go ahead with or without the town's planned North West Relief Road, according to councillors.

The Shrewsbury Moves document proposes a number of changes, including new traffic loops, more bus routes and the creation of new public spaces.

Consultants PJA said a lot of traffic currently passing through the town did not stop or benefit traders there.

Their plan will be opened up to consultation later in the month.

PJA was hired by a partnership of Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury Business Improvement District.

It has set out a number of recommendations to reduce the number of vehicles passing through the town centre and "make Shrewsbury more successful and a better place to live".

They include a new parkway rail station to the east of the town, a water taxi, and greater priority for buses.

Conservative Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council's representative on the Shrewsbury Big Town Partnership, said: "A lot of traffic that comes through the town that doesn't serve any purpose to the business of Shrewsbury."

His party has put forward the idea of the relief road to take some of that traffic around the town instead and the authority has approved the plans.

Mr Nellins said: "We've always done this with or without the North West Relief Road."

But he also said "it would work a lot better" if the long-awaited scheme goes ahead.

Improving traffic flow would help residents and businesses, consultants have said

Labour councillor Alan Moseley said the relief road, which his party has opposed, remained a "bone of contention".

He represents Shrewsbury Town Council in the partnership and said the majority of its members also oppose the road, but if it does not go ahead "then the changes can still happen".

Mr Moseley emphasised the traffic changes would be a "10-year programme of works and change" and nothing would happen overnight".

He added: "Nothing is this report is in tablets of stone except for desire to see change in transportation."

Consultation is due to start on 26 January and end on 22 March.