Campaigners who have gathered more than 600 signatures in a petition are delighted that their demand for a crossing on a town street is being considered.
The county council had said it had no plans to carry out the request for a pedestrian crossing on Castle Foregate but it now transpires that a number of road safety improvements could be carried out as part of the Connect2 project.
The Connect2 scheme will see £1 million invested in improving cycling and walking routes in Shrewsbury.
Last year, the project received £500,000 from Sustrans, a sustainable transport charity, which has been matched with funds from the authority’s Local Transport Plan and developer contributions.
Councillor Jon Tandy organised the petition after his fellow Royal Mail colleagues said that a crossing outside the sorting offices on Castle Foregate was desperately needed. He said: “It is such a busy road and I have witnessed many accidents and near misses.
“People came to me and asked me to put together the petition which we did. It has been signed by customers and staff alike – support has been phenomenal.”
In correspondence to Councillor Tandy, SCC told him that the area was being investigated. Plans include an improved crossing on Castle Foregate at Howard Street and Cross Street within the signalled junction, as well as a stand alone crossing on Castle Foregate near New Park Road.
SCC consultants Mouchel were issued with a brief in June to look at traffic modelling and design work for town centre junctions to provide better crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
This brief includes a review of the gyratory system around Shrewsbury Railway Station and investigation of an unsegregated cycle track and footway on Chester Street (Gateway side) and Castle Foregate (station side), a single stage toucan crossing on Howard Street and on Castle Gates at St Michael’s Street, and a toucan crossing across Castle Foregate from Castle Business Park (Ellesmere Grange pedestrian and cycle access) to New Park Road.
Mouchel hopes to have feedback by the end of December on which options are most feasible, and an idea of costs and possible timescales.
Cllr Tandy said: “I am delighted to hear that the roads around the sorting office are being investigated and I am glad that the petition has brought to light the plans of the council. It shows what people power can do.”
