WORK on Bridgnorth’s long-awaited and controversial Whitburn Street relief road is to start on Monday.
Sainsbury’s 20-week programme, aimed at radically improving congestion in the town by taking traffic away from Whitburn Street and out onto Northgate, will continue until November 24.
To minimise disruption, the development will take place in four phases – the first being the construction of the relief road up to and including the Bridgnorth Hospital access point. While work goes ahead on this phase, access to the car park will remain open for visitors.
Phases two and three will see the construction of both the northern and southern halves of the car park respectively, whilst the final phase of construction will be the relief road’s tie-in with Northgate.
During the construction period, there will be a reduced amount of car parking in the town centre car park, although upon completion the layout should be much improved for drivers.The Saturday market in Meredith’s Yard will continue while the work goes ahead, but sited in a designated temporary car park.
“Not only will the new road relieve traffic congestion in the town centre, it will also make the area safer for pedestrians and motorists alike,” said Jamie Cowen, head of Sainsbury’s property division.
“It has been a long time coming, but we are now looking forward to the positive benefits the new relief road will bring to Bridgnorth.”
Birse is the new contractor for the development and the plans for the work can be seen in Sainsbury’s Bridgnorth store from tomorrow.
During the 20-week project contractors will be working to a strict code of practice on Monday to Fridays from 7.30am-6pm, to keep disruption to a minimum.
Any questions about the roadworks programme can be put to Sue Bailey of Sainsbury’s through the firm’s freephone number of 0800 975 5299.
Future plans for the area also include extending the store and building a DIY outlet at the Old Smithfield.