Work to construct a mini roundabout at a junction in Whitchurch is to start next year.

Councillor Tom Biggins, who represents Whitchurch North, said residents are frustrated by the endless delay in the work at the junction of Claypit Street, London Road and Brownlow Street.

Building a mini roundabout must be carried out by Wain Homes as a result of its Talbot Manor development in Alport Road.

“Over the last four years, I have asked officers to enforce the condition, have repeatedly requested completion dates and asked the same in members questions at Full Council and also at Cabinet,” said Cllr Biggins.

“The Section 278 agreement was only commenced in 2022 after a lot of pressure from me, and the Planning Enforcement Case was only raised after my pushing for this to happen.

“We are now waiting for design approval which should have been sought years ago. Condition 12 of the planning consent granted stated, ‘no development shall take place until full engineering details of the alterations to the Claypit Street/Brownlow Street/London Road to form a mini-roundabout junction have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

"The highway alterations shall be implemented fully in accordance with the approved details prior to the development being first occupied’.

“This was watered down by subsequent condition 10  with no fixed time limit.

“A regrettable change allowed by planning. Had the original condition 12 been retained, the mini roundabout would have been constructed years ago and we would not have this ongoing saga.”

Councillor Dan Morris, the portfolio holder for highways at Shropshire Council, said the project has been met by a range of complex challenges, but work can now start in mid-January.

“Our highways development control officers have now signed off the contractor’s proposals for the proposed mini-roundabout scheme,” said Cllr Morris.

“Work is currently underway to review the specific levels to ensure no adverse impact on the footway profile relating to the pedestrian crossing point on Claypit Street on the northern side.

“The levels are important to ensure that the crossfall of the crossing does not adversely impact upon motorised mobility scooters in particular.

“I can confirm that, subject to weather, the works will now commence in mid-January.”