“It’s time to stop wasting time, effort and money on this outdated, expensive and highly damaging road plan”. That’s the message from Geoff Black [1] and campaigners against Shropshire Council’s plans for a Shrewsbury North West Relief Road. [2]

Geoff continues “The proposed ‘relief’ road cuts through an area of tranquil and beautiful landscape which is rich in wildlife. Experience all over the country shows that building roads like this doesn’t solve the problems of town centre traffic. We need instead to invest in better transport management, and in bus services and cycle routes.” [3]

“Schemes elsewhere have shown that car journeys can be reduced by up to 14%, just by giving people personalised information and advice on public transport, walking and cycling options. Traffic reduction can be achieved at much less cost than building the NWRR and with no damage done to the landscape and the environment.” [4]

“The costs of the proposed road have escalated to £105 million, of which £15 million will have to be found locally. Funds of this magnitude should be spent on bringing accessible and integrated transport to as many people in Shropshire as possible, not to cut a few minutes off journeys for cars and lorries in one small corner of the county town.”

Members of the No Way! Group have been delivering leaflets to houses in Shrewsbury. They will be on hand at the Shropshire Council consultation exhibitions and on Pride Hill on Saturday 19 April to explain the case against the road. The No Way! Group has also launched a new website to help explain why the road is unnecessary and damaging: nowaygroup.org.uk.