SHROPSHIRE’S council leader has also now confirmed he is “absolutely confident” that dualling the road between Montford Bridge and Ruabon will go ahead. Cllr Peter Nutting confirms he’s working with the Welsh Assembly to ensure A5 success as far as Ruabon.

In view of that it obviously sets us wondering if the planned spend of £9.3m, on an additional Mile End roundabout in Oswestry, is a bit premature! Are we sure this can be integrated into the dualling, and if not, this is the time to park up and rethink?

After expressing ‘delight’ the council had ‘signed off’ the government’s £54.4 million funding for the Shelton to Battlefield Shrewsbury new bypass, Cllr Nutting stresses all his attention will now focus on the A5 plans.

Welsh Frankton based Cllr Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for highways and transport, after popping down to Westminster adds: “I am absolutely confident we will get the funding and help we need to dual it and we are working with our colleagues over the border.”

Since 1991, there have been 1,785 casualties between Shrewsbury and Chirk, 1,407 of them slight, 320 serious and 58 fatal.

Beware the roadworks

BE WARNED there’s three disruptive roadworks in this area this and next week week.

The first started on Monday and Tuesday just gone, when the road studs were removed at night from the B4396 Morton crossroads to Whip Lane in Llynclys. New road dressing is planned for next Monday till Wednesday and new markings being done June 17 and 18.

Following soon after, starting Next Monday in Brookhouse Road plus Bridgeman and Powis Avenues, new dressing is being added and then it will be freshly marked up on June 18.

Finally, daytime work on Llanymynech’s Station Road is on June 12 to 14 with daytime marking up on June 19 and 20.

Why do drivers risk it?

MORE than 130 drivers in the West Mercia region were caught using their mobile phone when driving, during the first week of a police campaign.

And you are probably staggered the figure is not four times that, after spotting all the drivers’ hands to their right ears.

It’s so crazy and unnecessary, as all mobiles store who is calling, enabling you to park and far safer catch-up later.

Plea to help fire crews

A PLEA from Oswestry’s Fire and Rescue team: “Once again all of you lovely kind people of Oswestry, we need your help.

“We are looking for donated scrap cars again to help us with traffic accident drills. We are able to arrange free collection but will not be able to pay any value for the car. Your kind donations help us train.”

To contact call 01743 260200 or email enquiries@shropshirefire.gov.uk