£54M Shrewsbury relief road approved

A new multi-million pound relief road, which will provide drivers in Shrewsbury with smoother journeys, has been approved by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

The Department for Transport will provide some £54M in funding for the North West Relief Road – between Battlefield Link Road and Oxon Link Road – resulting in a new, single-carriageway route taking traffic out of the town centre.

This will not only significantly reduce congestion, but it will also lead to improved air quality in the town centre.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The North West Relief Road is just what Shrewsbury needs to reduce congestion in and around the town.

“We are investing £54M in this exciting new scheme, helping drivers get from A to B more quickly, while improving air quality for residents.”

The scheme will also include two new bridges, and accessible crossings allowing cyclists, pedestrians and vulnerable users to travel safely.

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This 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. Today’s announcement really is the culmination of many years’ hard work by a great number of people and it’s been a real team effort between council officers, councillors, MPs, our engineering consultants and many more.

“The North West Relief Road 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.”

This funding comes in addition to a £1.8Bn investment in improving motorway and schemes across the Midlands, as well as providing £176M in the past year for road maintenance and small transport projects.

Work on the scheme is anticipated to start in 2022.

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