Welsh Bridge blog: part three

Part three of local photo journalist Richard Bishop's blog, updating us on the progress of the roadworks at Welsh Bridge and what the people of Shrewsbury think about them...

The next phase at the Welsh Bridge is well underway with traffic coming from the town centre having to go over the bridge and return via Frankwell roundabout to access Smithfield Road.

Site foreman Carl Millington, of family business GRE Millington was using a useful piece of kit this morning. It’s a vacuum kerb and slab lifter which is a great back-saving device.

I asked Shrewsbury College lecturer, Paula Cleaver what she thought about the new scheme and she gave me the first negative response that I have been probing for. She accepted that the cycle path and crossings were a great idea but the Council should be maintaining the existing routes as a priority.

I had a chat with Shropshire Council civil enforcement officer, Gill Gale and she thinks the scheme will be a big improvement along Smithfield Road. She said that during busy times of day when the traffic is backed-up into the town centre it can be off-putting for cyclists. She made the point that this area is a favourite with tourists and the new system will enhance the experience for cyclists and pedestrians.

mike-bruton I watched Mike Bruton MBE stoically navigate his way across the road from Mardol onto the Victoria Quay side of the bridge in a wheelchair and was reminded just how much we sometimes take for granted. I took the opportunity to get his take on the scheme. He said that cycle paths are good news for people in wheelchairs. They are ideal and the dropped curbs were particularly useful. He pointed out that Shrewsbury’s dropped curb system comes out favourably compared with other towns.

Expectant mother, Fay Pritchard had some praise for the workforce when they helped her, laden with shopping and child in pushchair the other day to get across the road to Victoria Quay. She said they were very helpful. traffic-negotiating-the-centre-refuge She added that it's going to be a big improvement when it's finished but at the moment it’s a bit hairy getting across three lanes of traffic.