Dual the A5 campaign: Business boss and TNS owner Mike Harris backs Star petition
A well-known businessman who drives on the A5 every day believes the road desperately needs improving.
Mike Harris, is the co-founder of SiFi Networks, a growing international fibre optic network developer.
He is alspo the chairman of Welsh Premier League Champions, The New Saints.
He has always been proud of retaining his business in his hometown, Oswestry.
But he said that the area suffers from the appalling hold-ups on the A5.
Click here to sign the petition to dual the A5
Mr Harris is the latest person to back the Shropshire Star’s Dual It campaign which is calling on Roads minister, John Hayes, to include the road north of Shrewsbury to the Welsh border at Chirk in the Government’s Road Investment Strategy.
Shortlisted in two categories for the 2017 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Mr Harris said it was frustrating when he and other bosses were hampered by the road network.
He admitted that he even refused to use the bypass at certain times of the day.
“Instead I drive through the middle of town to avoid the bypass which is ridiculous,” he said.
“But it is quicker.
“We have to get supplies in and goods out and we want to attract people to Oswestry to do business with us and employees to work for us.
“We live in a beautiful part of the world yet we have a main road that is completely out of date. There are too many vehicles on our roads and this is highlighted on the A5, particularly at the Mile End roundabout and Oswestry bypass.”
This week the Shropshire Star launched a petition calling for the A5 to be dualled north of Shrewsbury.
We would like to present the petition to the government and want as many names on it as possible.
Currently, more than 2,400 people have signed the petition online.
