Work starts to ease congestion at two key traffic islands in Shrewsbury
Work begins next Monday (9 June) to ease congestion and improve safety at Preston Boats and Emstrey Islands on the A5 in Shrewsbury.
The scheme will improve the layout of both islands and traffic lights will be installed to ease congestion especially at peak times. The project is part of the Government’s pinch point programme.
Highways Agency Project Manager, Jess Kenny said:
These are two very busy islands and these improvements will really make a difference to drivers’ journeys, easing congestion especially at peak times, which can only help the local economy.
To minimise disruption, we will carry out the majority of the work with lane closures at night, but some full closures will also be needed between the hours of 7pm and 7am. I advise people to leave longer for their journeys as diversions will be necessary at times and reduced speed limits will be in place to protect workers and the public.
Work at Preston Boats junction will retain the existing roundabout and signalise all approaches. These will be ‘smart’ signals that read the demands of traffic on the junction approaches and alter timings automatically. The signalisation will introduce ‘free flow’ lanes on the A5 westbound and A49 to A5 eastbound arms, removing a significant volume of traffic from the junction.
Emstrey island will benefit from several approaches being widened and widening of the island itself to provide three lanes with traffic lights.
For more information about the scheme and details of traffic management throughout the project, which is scheduled to be completed in December, call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.