Pub bosses have launched a petition demanding the immediate closure of a town centre road after a customer was hospitalised following a collision with a passing car.
The injured man is one of nearly a dozen drinkers involved in incidents outside the Yorkshire House pub since the direction of travel was changed along St Mary’s Place.
Last Thursday the man, Robert Dexter, from Mereside, was standing outside the pub when he was struck from behind by a car turning left off St Mary’s Street. He had to be taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with five fractures to his foot .
Pete Wilkinson, pub manager, said: “One of our regulars got knocked over last Thursday, he was just stood outside having a cigarette.
“You can’t see the cars because the wall sticks out, especially since they’ve changed the direction to traffic.
“We’ve had plenty of people clipped, about ten people, and a few where people have walked out of the pub and cars have only just stopped in time.
Landlord Paul Bailey said: “We want this road closed, there’s access elsewhere. If this was shut it would solve a lot of problems.”
Jeremy Salisbury, principal traffic engineer at Shropshire County Council, said: “We are aware of the request to close the road and we will be looking at it.”
Meanwhile, SCC has announced it will be re-opening St Mary’s Street and Dogpole tomorrow (Friday) – a week ahead of schedule – and Castle Gates and Castle Street will revert back to its original layout.
John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience during this important work.”
Road closures will take place this weekend and next for resurfacing.