Much Wenlock, Barrow and Broseley HGV Meeting 10/11/16

Attendees Cllr D Turner Cllr J Jones Barrow Parish – Cllr P Knott, Cllr S King Broseley Town Council – Cllr S Harris, Cllr P Smith Much Wenlock Town Council – Cllr Y Holoak Mouchel – D Davies, A Polak Shropshire Council – A Dilly

Existing Situation

The existing signage for the 7.5t weight restriction in Much Wenlock and in Broseley were highlighted. No further mandatory restrictions in Broseley Town Centre or within Barrow Parish.

Surveys

A 3 day survey had been undertaken with the use of high mounted static cameras in Much Wenlock. This included the times the vehicles entered and left Much Wenlock heading both towards and from Broseley to determine if the vehicles were just passing through or legitimately carrying out deliveries etc. A total of 3 vehicles were believed to have been travelling straight through Much Wenlock towards Broseley on the sample days.

Proposals

Sheinton Street, Much Wenlock (junction off the A4169) - all agreed the preference was for the junction to be narrowed right down to discourage vehicles entering this street, however with no speed table at the junction. Details of the directions for coaches heading to Wenlock Priory need to be confirmed either via Queen Street or Sheinton Street. Mouchel to establish.

High Street, Much Wenlock – all agreed the preference was for the junction to be narrowed with no speed table, granite setts or similar on the entrance to the street and planters in the wide footways as you enter to create a narrowing effect to all traffic. Any measures to deter parking on the junctions are good but still to allow on street parking for residents.

Bridgnorth Road, Broseley – discussion was had regarding the proposed mini roundabout at the Bridgnorth Road/Avenue Road junction and it was agreed to take this option forward providing it was going to be an improvement from the existing situation and assist vehicles turning right into Bridgnorth Road from The Avenue. The consistency of the granite sett appearance as you enter Bridgnorth Road was also agreed.

Signing

Much Wenlock It was suggested by AD and Mouchel that it would be best to send all vehicular traffic heading to Broseley via Merrywell Lane and not direct cars via St Mary’s Road, as at present. Merrywell Lane is now to a good carriageway standard however there were concerns raised regarding the site lines on the Merrywell Lane/B4376 Barrow Road junction as well as speeds on Merrywell Lane itself. Mouchel to investigate enhancing the signage at A458/Merrywell Lane junction, consider change of priorities at junction with B4376 and look to only sign Benthall Hall and Benthall at the B4376/B43675 junctions. Mouchel to provide signing options for all junctions/direction signs within Much Wenlock for Cllr Turner and Cllr Holyoak and Town Council to consider and approve.

Broseley Signage to Cockshutt Lane premises must be retained and consideration whether antiskid material needs to be considered on Dark Lane, just prior to Cockshutt Lane junction. Environmental weight restriction of 7.5t to be taken forward for B4375 through Benthall from B4376 junction to Barrow. Mouchel to provide plan of these proposals to Benthall Parish Council to consider and approve.

Benthall Parish Bridge Road to be taken forward for 7.5t environmental weight restriction – AD to discuss with Telford and Wrekin Council re. their end of Bridge Road and their views and coordinate the signage/restrictions. Signage at the junction of B4375/Bridge Road to remove reference to Ironbridge and replace with suitable alternative wording.

No further meeting has yet been convened until final proposals are completed. Venues, to put the plans on display, need to be agreed in Much Wenlock and Broseley to enable the public to comment.