More than 700 get involved in festival discussing future of Shrewsbury

The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Festival saw community leaders and experts from around the UK discussing the next stage in a vision for the future of the town.

A major public consultation into the masterplan was launched at the festival - and people are being encouraged to visit shrewsburybigtownplan.org to get involved.

The masterplan document outlines ideas and options for how Shrewsbury could develop over the next two decades, looking at how people will move in and around the town centre, along with how the town’s heritage can be celebrated whilst allowing the town to move forward.

It was launched with the intention of sparking debate in the town, and explores ideas including creating a new northern entrance to the railway station and a riverside walkway and park by re-routing traffic away from Smithfield Road, and revitalising the Abbey Foregate viaduct to provide space for businesses and community events.

The Big Town Plan Festival featured a series of talks, from January 19 to 29, looking at various aspects of the plan, which are now available to watch on demand on the festival website.

Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of Shropshire Council, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people engaging with each event. We had 30 speakers over seven events which have been viewed over 1,000 times and are available to watch back via the Big Town Plan festival website.

“The events attracted hundreds of questions and comments, with a selection being put to the panel during the events, and all of them will be considered as part of the ongoing consultation.”

An extensive open consultation process is now under way, and people can make and view comments at shrewsburybigtownplan.org.

Several priority projects are listed in the masterplan, including the development of Riverside and Frankwell, the re-purposing of Pride Hill Shopping Centre which could become a leisure facility including a restaurant, cinema and bowling alley on the upper floor and the council's new HQ on the lower floor when the authority vacates Shirehall.

Improvements to the railway station, reducing traffic and re-imagining bus services are also high priorities.

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: “There are a range of exciting ideas in this masterplan vision, and I would encourage everyone to look at the proposals and make their views known in the consultation section on the website.”

James Handley, director of Shrewsbury Bid, said: “The Big Town Plan Festival has helped to get people talking about the future of Shrewsbury.

“It’s vital we develop a shared vision for the future so we can then work together to make ensure Shrewsbury continues to prosper.”

The aim is for the plans to be discussed further when Covid-19 restrictions are eased, but in the meantime if anyone without access to the internet would like to get involved, they can call the Shropshire Council customer service centre on 0345 678 9000 to request information to be sent in the post.