LEP welcomes £54 million scheme to improve Shrewsbury traffic

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership today welcomed news that the Department for Transport (DfT) is to invest £54m in the construction of the Shrewsbury North West Relief Road.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling officially confirmed the multi-million pound funding for the road, with work now expected to start in the next three years.
The road – between Battlefield Link Road and Oxon Link Road – will provide a new, single-carriageway route taking traffic out of the town centre, significantly reducing congestion and also helping to improve air quality in the town centre.
Marches LEP chairman Graham Wynn said the scheme was a crucial part of strategic plans for the region’s economic development being drawn up by the LEP and its partners.
“Improved infrastructure and communications are vital if we are to realise our ambitions to grow the region’s economy to £23.8billion by 2038 and create 58,700 new jobs. This scheme, for which we secured the funding to develop the master plan, will help us create a transport network which is fit for purpose for years to come and which drives that growth.”
Mr Grayling said: “The North West Relief Road is just what Shrewsbury needs to reduce congestion in and around the town.
“We are investing £54 million in this exciting new scheme, helping drivers get from A to B more quickly, while improving air quality for residents.”
Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Today’s announcement is brilliant news and means that our thorough and detailed business case for a Shrewsbury north west relief road has been recognised and supported by the government. I’m also delighted that the lobbying of government by a large number of people over a long period has been successful.
“The NWRR will benefit not just Shrewsbury but the whole of Shropshire and, though there is some way to go before the road is built and in use, securing this funding from the government is a huge step towards making this much-needed road a reality.”
The scheme will also include two new bridges, and accessible crossings allowing cyclists, pedestrians and vulnerable users to travel safely across town.
A shared footpath and cycleway will be built on the southern part of the road, bordered on both sides by open space.
This is part of a £1.8billion investment in schemes across the Midlands, as well as providing £176million in the past year for road maintenance and small transport projects.
Work on the scheme is likely to start in 2022.