Roads may close in Shrewsbury as pedestrianisation trial returns
Councillors are now considering reviving the project which closed several town centre last month
Last updated 23rd Sep 2021
Parts of Shrewsbury town centre could close to traffic at weekends once again as councillors are to consider bringing back a trial pedestrianisation scheme from the end of next month.
Measures to close several roads were brought to an end early last month - after complains from some businesses and people struggling to find parking.
If approved The Square, Wyle Cop, High Street and Shoplatch will all be closed to traffic on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 5pm
The new trial will run from October 25 until next January, if plans are approved.
Initial measures to limit traffic were brought in in July, but were paused last month after complaints from some local businesses and blue badge holders struggling to find parking spaces.
Steve Charmley, from Shropshire Council, said:
"We paused the previous trial at the end of August to allow us to consider all feedback, to review the measures with Shrewsbury BID, and decide if any changes need to be added to the measures that were in place.
"Now that we've had the opportunity to do that I'm pleased that we can now put in place a new trial (subject to Cabinet approval), which takes into account and addresses the positive and negative comments received previously.
"Our aim is to create the best possible environment for the town centre and its businesses to prosper, and to make it more cyclist-friendly and pedestrian-friendly.
"That is what we want to achieve, and I'm confident this second trial will enable us to do so.
"As this is a trial, once the measures are in place we welcome any comments that people may have, and will inform how we move forward and support the aspirations of the Big Town Plan more fully."
Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury BID, said:
“The past 18 months have demonstrated considerable benefits of a traffic-free environment, with over 80% of businesses saying they would like to see some form of a pedestrian-friendly scheme in place permanently.
“The atmosphere in the town centre has been fantastic, particularly on weekends, with visitors, diners and shoppers able to enjoy the extra space available, so this is very welcome news.
“We are in regular dialogue with Shropshire Council and will continue to engage with businesses, disability groups and partners on this new scheme; and welcome news of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Town Walls being trialled in the near future.”