Telford ‘box road’ plans go on display
Plans for a major scheme which will see changes to the ‘box road’ surrounding Telford Shopping Centre will go on show on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July.
The scheme aims to rejuvenate the centre of Telford; to create a built environment that establishes the town as a quality destination and a vibrant place to live and work.
The most significant part of the plan is to make the box road two-way to improve access to the area from all outer routes.
In addition, the changes will also reduce the impact and scale of the highway, reduce the speed of traffic, improve accessibility in the town centre area, accommodate the future growth of the town and create attractive ‘urban boulevards’ which better serve pedestrians and cyclists.
The scheme will be delivered under the remit of the Central Telford Area Action Plan (CTAAP) which encapsulates the Southwater development as well as other development in the area.
The £250 million Southwater development which is now well under way has been one of the driving forces behind the need to make these changes to include giving more provision to pedestrians and cyclists and providing better access to the new multi-storey car park.
And now, more great news for the area are the plans that have this week been unveiled by Telford Shopping Centre which will see a £200 million redevelopment of Red Oak car park and the surrounding area including the current Asda store once it relocates.
This complements the work that is planned for the box road and will create an even greater flow between the business, retail and leisure communities that will all form part of the flourishing town centre area.
People are now being invited along to see the plans for the box road changes. An exhibition will be held in Wyre Hall outside Next in Telford Shopping Centre on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July.
Officers will be on hand throughout the exhibition to explain the plans and answer questions.
An unmanned display will also be in Addenbrooke House for two weeks from Monday 22 July.
Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for Housing, Development & Borough Towns, said: “For many years the box road hasn’t changed, it’s a three lane one-way road with few access options. The layout is conducive to excessive speed and is not pedestrian friendly.
“In the past it has also proved a barrier to development, particularly for Telford Shopping Centre which is within the confines of the road.
“This scheme will allow for much better traffic flow and access from all sides while also raising the priority for pedestrians and cyclists creating a more urban feel.”
Councillor Kuldip Sahota, leader of the Council, added: “These changes to the box road will complement the development currently taking place in Southwater as well as the planned development just announced by Telford Shopping Centre.
“It’s important that we provide good quality easy access into and out of the town centre area for traffic.
“At the same time we need to offer a space where pedestrians and cyclists have equally good provision and priority which allows them to seamlessly access all that Telford has to offer now and in the future.”
The work has been broken into three phases and will begin at the end of this Summer. Work is scheduled for completion in the Spring of 2015.
