Frustration at delays to Shrewsbury roadworks scheme

But council bosses say the work at the Reabrook Roundabout, which has seen the top of Old Potts Way and the road linking to the Lord Hill’s Column roundabout completely closed since the start of May, is on track to complete in the next fortnight, after a two-week delay.

Paul Jones, 58, who lives off Sutton Road nearby, said he and other residents were losing patience with the knock-on effect on traffic in the area.

He said: “It has been more than two months and Abbey Foregate is just chock-a-block all the time. Sutton Road and Wenlock Road are taking a lot more traffic as well.

“I don’t see why it couldn’t have been done in a couple of weeks, but every time I pass there is never anybody working there, I just can’t understand it.

“There seems to be very little progress at all – I don’t just mean from day to day, I mean from week to week,” he said.

The work, which is part of Shrewsbury’s £12 million Integrated Transport Package, has faced a two-week delay and led to widespread criticism and a council apology.

But Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways, Steve Davenport, said the Reabrook project is now on target to complete by July 26.

Ground conditions led to a delay in the work being carried out but the next two stages, the English Bridge Gyratory and Coleham Head will overlap to ensure the entire project is completed by its October deadline, council officials have confirmed.

Roadworks at The English Bridge Gyratory and Coleham Head are due to start on Monday, July 31, and will last for around three months, but the majority of the work will be carried out without road closures, although some will take place at the end of the scheme to re-surface the roads.

Councillor Davenport said the work will benefit Shrewsbury in the long-term and would help to attract more tourists, benefitting local business. He said previously: “Once it is done the proof of the pudding is in the eating but we certainly think it will make make the town feel more integrated and will help to encourage tourists and benefit business.”