Overgrown roundabout an eyesore at gateway to 'Town of Flowers'

A neglected traffic roundabout at a gateway to Shrewsbury, which is overgrown with grass and weeds, is a poor advert for the 'Town of flowers', says a local businessman.

Tony Bywater, chairman of caravan, motorhome and campervan dealership Salop Leisure, is renewing his campaign to get Highways England to tidy up Emstrey Roundabout on Shrewsbury bypass before this year’s Britain in Bloom competition.

He says the overgrown grass and weeds represent a traffic hazard because they block drivers’ visibility when negotiating the roundabout.

“This is one of the main entrances to Shrewsbury, which is renowned for its beautiful flowers, yet Highways England has again allowed the roundabout to become overgrown and an eyesore,” said Mr Bywater.

“Salop Leisure is one of several businesses in the town that invests in keeping roundabouts well maintained and planted with flowers, yet Highways England is letting the town down. The roundabout must be properly maintained because it’s extremely important to the image of our town.”

In 2015, Mr Bywater was forced to get local MP Daniel Kawczynski and Shropshire Councillor Clare Wild involved to get the roundabout cleared. At the time, Highways England pledged to “create an island with well developed trees and grassed open space.”