Villagers vent frustration over collapsed culvert and delayed repairs

The road from Cardington to Stone Acton has been closed since November, while there is also a collapsed culvert on the road to Leys Hill. It means the only way to get to Church Stretton and the south is via Gilberries Lane, but that road is also in a poor state and not designed to take heavy traffic.

The issue was discussed at a Cardington Parish Council meeting on January 7, with members of the public giving examples of how they and their businesses are being affected.

Minutes from the meeting state that, despite numerous requests from the chairman of the parish council, Councillor Clive Tonks, the road closure had not been implemented.

“The chairman had also made repeated requests to Shropshire Council to clear the debris fallen into the stream as this impedes the flow of water, which during heavy storms could cause flooding to local properties,” reads the minutes.

It adds that Andy Wilde, assistant director for infrastructure and growth at Shropshire Council, told the meeting that his team would identify the location where additional road closure signs are needed and signs would be erected by the end of the week.

He added that his team recognise that the collapsed culvert on the road to Stone Acton needs urgent attention. However, before any work can commence in watercourses, there needs to be an ecological survey. This has already started, said Mr Wilde, but could take a matter of weeks.

Mr Tonks asked if Gilberries Lane could be added to the routine gritting schedule, and if the blocked drain at the intersection with the main Church Stretton to Much Wenlock road could be cleared as soon as possible.

This is because it is causing ponding, he said, which is the accumulation of water in low-lying areas, such as on a roof or roadway, that doesn’t drain away within a reasonable amount of time.

“This causes the road to be impassable to light traffic and when iced over puts vehicles at serious risk of sliding downhill on to the main road carrying fast traffic,” said Councillor Tonks.

Mr Wilde agreed to instruct his team to inspect Gilberries Lane and look at solutions for the collapse on Ley Hills Road.

A member of the public also told the meeting that he may be able to help with temporary solutions to enable Ley Hills Road to be reopened.