Here is the latest news on the roadworks published yesterday afternoon by Shropshire Council on Facebook. It is very different from the information I provided at the weekend, which was based on information from a highways officer last Thursday.
The critical changes are:
- Buses will no longer be allowed through the roadworks, meaning that the 702 will be diverted and will no longer serve Steventon or Old Street this week.
- The road will be totally closed between the A49 and Greenacres on Friday 8pm until 6am Saturday “to reduce disruption to local businesses.”
There are a number of issues here. It is clear that Kier changed its plans without notifying Shropshire Council until Monday. That’s not unusual for Kier but I would have hoped that the new administration would have got the habit of ad hoc changes sorted. It’s a case of the tail wagging the dog. It puzzles me that time was spent negotiating for the buses to pass through the roadworks, only for the agreement be abandoned at the whim of a contractor. And I pity customers booked in the Squirrel Friday night when they leave to find road closed. I presume Kier staff never go out on a Friday night and don’t know it is the busiest night in a pub. That why work at the top end of Sheet Road was originally planned for early in the week.
Shropshire Council update
“❗ Sheet Road, Ludlow resurfacing – an update.
Sheet Road is being resurfaced from Monday 23 to Tuesday 31 March.
During the work the road will be closed from 9.30am to 4pm each day (weekdays only – not including Friday 27th)
On Friday 27th the road will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am (Saturday) from the A49 roundabout to Greenacres junction. This is to reduce disruption to local businesses.
During the closures access to the work areas will be maintained for the following:
✔️ Residents living within the closure, when safe to do so.
✔️ Businesses located within the closure, when safe to do so.
✔️ Pedestrians, dismounted cyclists and equestrians
✔️ Emergency vehicles.
🚌 Access will be no longer be provided through Sheet Road for buses.
For all other traffic a signed diversion will be place. Depending on their vehicle type, road users may be able to choose an alternative diversion route.
❗ People are asked to ensure vehicles are not parked on the road whilst the work is in progress.
ℹ️ For more information visit and search the One Network roadworks website.”
Buses
From Tuesday 24th March, the 702 will not be able to serve much of its usual route. The temporary route will be Assembly Rooms → Station Drive → Gravel Hill → St Julian’s Avenue → Livesey Road → Sandpits Road → Riddings Road → St Margaret Road → Parys Road → Tollgate Road (turn) → then the same route in reverse. This temporary route will operate for the following services:
- 09:20 departure from Assembly Rooms up to and including the 15:25 departure from Assembly Rooms.
- Services before 09:20 and after 15:25 will run as normal.
Lloyd Way will continue to be served by the 722 (P&R) service.