Motorists face more misery after news this week that work on one of Market Drayton’s busiest roads will not start until next year.
Shropshire Council has confirmed that temporary traffic lights will remain in place on Phoenix Bank while engineers produce a programme to repair a landslide which took place in January.
Severe wintry weather caused part of the wall behind St Mary’s Churchyard to collapse, leaving rubble scattered across the road below.
Phoenix Bank was closed for three days in May to investigate the reason for the collapse and the nature of the soil involved.
But a Shropshire Council spokeswoman said it revealed that before existing rubble could be removed and the wall repaired, the bank sloping onto the road will have to be stabilised.
The spokeswoman added: “Unfortunately, due to the restricted nature of the site and the fact that large machinery will need to operate from the road in front of the wall, it will be necessary to close Phoenix Bank for the duration of the proposed repair work.
“Construction work is programmed to start on January 10, 2011 and it is estimated that it will last for about eight weeks.
“Until then, the existing traffic lights will need to remain in place.”
The spokeswoman confirmed that the start date was to “avoid conflict” with other road closures in Market Drayton town centre for work by Central Networks during September and October.
It is also in line with a Shropshire Council “embargo” on road closures during November and December to help traders in the run-up to Christmas.
Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “It is appreciated that the existing traffic lights may be annoying at times and that the proposed road closure will cause inconvenience.
“Nevertheless, I hope people will appreciate that they are a necessary part of the repair process and when the road is closed, every reasonable effort will be made to reopen it as soon as possible.”
Market Drayton Chamber of Trade chairman Councillor Roy Aldcroft said: “This is one of the key routes into Market Drayton and to start work in the middle of winter will almost certainly lead to delays and further land slippage.
“Whilst we should be thankful that there is a plan to resolve the situation, I really do think repair work should be carried out now while the weather is good.”
By Winston Brown
