The trial low-traffic scheme which has seen parts of Shrewsbury town centre closed to vehicles on weekends is to continue until at least October 2022 after proving popular with businesses and residents.

Since 20 November 2021, Wyle Cop (uphill), High Street and Shoplatch have been closed to through-traffic from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays to help reduce traffic in the town centre at weekends. In addition The Square is closed to traffic every day from 10am to 4pm.

Since the start of the trial 397 people have responded to a survey on the ShrewsburyMoves.com website – with 899 contributions made – with a strong majority supporting the measures. As a result, the trial will now continue, with the roads closed until 5pm during the summer months.

The five additional disabled parking bays introduced 24/7 as part of the trial – three in Princess Street and two in Claremont Street – have been well used and will remain.

At the same time work and consultation will be undertaken to finalise new temporary crossings that will be introduced on Town Walls to reduce, slow and discourage through traffic.

More information, including a map and a ‘question and answer’ section, can be found on a new website: shrewsburymoves.com.

Meanwhile, businesses that wish to apply for a pavement licence to increase their business footprint and take advantage of the extension to the weekend road closures, should visit Shropshire Council’s website for advice and guidance.

Over the spring and summer a new Shrewsbury Movement and Public Realm Strategy is being developed, and this weekend closure will be an important consideration as part of this work.

For more information, click here.