A442 to close for works between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster

The A442 between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster will be closed overnight from tonight for three weeks while essential rock scouring works is carried out through the cutting near Dudmaston Hall.

The work will involve tree trimming and the removal of loose sections of the rock face which has become unstable with large pieces of soft sandstone regularly shed on to the road.

While the work is carried out the road will close at 7pm and re-open in the mornings at 6am, and temporary lights will be in use during the day. The road will be re-opened to through traffic over the Easter weekend.

Shropshire Council is using the road closure as an opportunity to carry out a significant amount of other improvement work in the area:

These works include:
• Approximately 2.5km of carriageway resurfacing from the Bridgnorth Roundabout towards Kidderminster.
• The installation of a new footpath and street lighting scheme adjacent to The Danery Public House.
• Road sign cleaning.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport:

“We appreciate that this work will cause disruption to local residents and businesses, but we hope they will bear with us while this important work is carried out on the rock face.

“This essential work on the rock face needs to be done as soon as possible to ensure the safety of people using this stretch of road, and it’s being carried out at the earliest possible opportunity since the problem was identified.

“We hope people will welcome the fact that we’re taking advantage of the road closure to carry out a wide range of much-needed work in the area – work will which lead to significant improvements for residents, businesses and road users.”

William Parr, Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbotts, said:

“About two years ago I was approached by, and met with, Katherine and Andrew Lowe of The Danery with a petition with a thousand signatures calling for a footpath to save lives on the A442. Since then I have lobbied hard and had many meetings with phone calls and emails to get funding. Together we have put in lots of effort and with the support from the Quatford community we will now realise and profit with tremendous local improvements which, apart from saving lives, will also aesthetically improve the area for the local community and through traffic.”

Christian Lea, Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbotts, said:

“The resurfacing work which is being undertaken on the A442 from the Kidderminster Road island to Quatford is to be very much welcomed. Quatford residents will be delighted to hear that they will be getting a new footpath, which is something that they have been calling for the past few years and which will greatly improve pedestrian safety.”

A signed diversion route will be in place while the road is closed.