Horsebridge Road¸ Minsterley closure reduced

Horsebridge Road in Minsterley will now be closed for four weeks instead of six to allow BT to install broadband, following discussions with parish councillors and local farmers about the timing of the works.

Shropshire County Council has been working closely with BT’s contractors, Enterprise and it was decided that the summer holidays was the best time to carry out the work, as school buses would remain unaffected by the closure.

However local farmers highlighted that this timing would cause access problems for agricultural machinery during the busy harvest season.

It has now been agreed that the work will still start on 21 July 2008 and take place during the summer holidays, however the closure period will be reduced to four weeks. The council will also use this closure period to resurface parts of the road to minimise any future disruption.

Enterprise will work longer hours and liaise closely with farmers to resolve any access issues during this closure.

John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “We have worked closely with everyone concerned and are pleased that a schedule has now been agreed which will hopefully suit the majority of people affected by the closure.”

Yvonne Holyoak, Shropshire County Councillor for Rea Valley and Pontesbury Parish Councillor, added: “I’d like to express my thanks to local farmers and residents for their support and help in resolving problems associated with this very necessary project.”

8 July 2008