OSWESTRY’s mayor is calling for Shropshire Council to give responsibility to how highways matters are managed to avoid a future serious incident.  

Councillor Jay Moore has put forward a motion to be heard at Wednesday’s full town council meeting for he and his fellow councillors to take charge of highways matters from Shropshire Council.

Cllr Moore, who will chair the meeting at the Guildhall, on the Bailey Head, says that communication between the parish and unitary councils is ‘unacceptably poor’ and says unless changes are made, it will only be a matter of time before someone comes to harm.

And he added that this has led to a complete loss of confidence in Shropshire Council to keep Oswestrians safe on the roads because of speeding.

His motion said: “Following a large number of emails and phone calls from concerned residents regarding speeding vehicles in residential areas, I believe it is time for the town council to take proactive steps to protect our residents.

“Although road safety responsibilities should fall to Shropshire Council and Highways, I no longer have confidence in their ability to quickly tackle and install the traffic calming measures we desperately need in our town.

“I ask that we invite the portfolio holder Richard Marshall to an urgent meeting to discuss our options.

“We know from our data that there are a large volume of vehicles on the road and a high volume of those vehicles are speeding.

“It is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.

“Communication between Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Councils officers is currently unacceptably poor, and councillors are not able to deal with the issues facing our town in a quick and effective manner.”

Cllr Moore has also proposed three ways in which Oswestry Town Council can have a great say in its highways matters.

He said: “Oswestry is not in a position to wait on Shropshire Council any longer and to this end, I propose a solution be found.

“Whether it be the town council having a say in how the highways budget is allocated in our town.

“Or the town council requesting Shropshire Council devolve responsibility of highways to us completely.

“Or the town council paying for the control measures needed if Shropshire Council is unable to provide the funding we require.”

The meeting will begin at 7pm.