SHROPSHIRE Council has ruled that Bridgnorth’s busy Whitburn Street will continue to take one-way traffic through to High Street on a permanent basis.
The decision ends concern in the town that the road scheme was the first step in pedestrianisation of the town centre. But the controversial proposal put forward during public consultation in November, for a signed pedestrian zone with restricted access, has been ditched following concerns raised with officers by local members after a mixed public reception to the idea.
Instead, the one-way street will have wider blue brick pavements, higher than at present to stop vehicles driving on to them, and a narrower road as part of the £730,000 package.
The work – to start in August and expected to take about 16 weeks – will also include reinstating the parking bays outside the former doctors’ surgery in High Street, with two additional bays for disabled people alongside. This will replace the bus stop which will be relocated back to its original position outside the Bear Inn at Northgate.
Shropshire Councillor Christian Lea said that he and the other local members – John Hurst-Knight, Les Winwood and William Parr – were “extremely pleased” with their meeting with traffic department officers.
“Pedestrian safety will be vastly improved with the widening of the pavements in Whitburn Street, particularly for the elderly and parents with young children in pushchairs,” he said. I also very much welcome the parking bays being reintroduced outside the old doctors’ surgery, which should help give a boost to local trade.”
Councillor Winwood said the retention of a one-way Whitburn Street assisted traffic management and ensured continued access to shops with a choice of route round the town.
“The wider pavements will greatly assist pedestrians,” added Councillor Winwood, who is pursuing other safety measures with Shirehall officers.
He has arranged for the traffic department to continue the footpath under the Hospital Walk wall so that pedestrians can reach the car park without stepping into the road.
And he is also asking for gardens alongside the relief road footpath, outside Telford Farm Machinery, to be tidied.
Councillor Winwood also revealed that Shropshire Council is negotiating with St John’s Roman Catholic Church about a ‘protruding’ path area which makes it difficult for hearses to park.
