Harley Bank to be closed for six weeks

The A458 at Harley Bank near Much Wenlock will be closed from the 30 June 2008 for six weeks, to allow Shropshire County Council’s contractors to safely remove 16,000 tonnes of unstable rock.

Shropshire County Council is taking steps to ensure the enhanced safety of all during the closure period. This will include introducing traffic calming works at certain locations on the signed diversion route, including a 30mph mandatory speed limit in the village of Buildwas and temporary vehicle activated signs outside the William Brookes School in Much Wenlock.

Also an additional road closure has been scheduled this weekend from 7pm-10pm on both Saturday and Sunday to enable road markings and signage to be altered and bollards to be placed in the footway to slow the diverted traffic travelling on a narrow section of the A4169 Sheinton street in Much Wenlock. These works, together with the speed limit at Buildwas, will remain permanent features after the closure.

Shropshire County Council’s contractors Enterprise has started setting up the site compound at Harley Bank in preparation for next weeks work. Councillor John Everall and Councillor David Gibbon have visited the site on Monday (23 June) to look at the massive task ahead of the team.

Investigation work last year found that the rock face was unstable and that it needs to be reshaped for safety reasons. This rock cutting will also mean that Harley Bank will be widened, allowing contractors to reposition the road to avoid future disruption.

John Everall Shropshire County Council’s member for environment and sustainability, said: "We recognise that these works will cause much disruption for local residents and traders. Following the report last year, we have had to close the road for safety reasons.

"We have been working and consulting with local residents and traders to minimise disruption as much as possible. In reshaping the rock face we are hoping to reduce future road closures due to rock falls.”

David Gibbon Shropshire County Councillor for Much Wenlock, said: ”We have been working with concerned traders to publicise that Much Wenlock is still open for business.

“We have brought these essential traffic calming works forward in the hope that they will ensure the safety of local residents on the diversion route.”

25 June 2008