Fire service uses Shrewsbury station gyratory cycle lanes to beat traffic bottleneck
Fire engines are now using cycle lanes to bypass heavy congestion at the Shrewsbury station gyratory after previously being caught up in long traffic delays.
Shropshire Council and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have implemented the measure to ensure crews can navigate the notorious Castle Foregate bus stop island without being delayed by gridlocked traffic.
Recent emergency call-outs have already proven the effectiveness of the strategy. On at least three separate occasions, fire crews assessed the risk and utilised the dedicated cycle lane to clear the gyratory in under 60 seconds. This represents a significant improvement in response times, which is critical when every second counts during a life-threatening incident.
In addition to the new routing protocols, Shropshire Council is currently reviewing the placement of variable message signs in the area. Engineers are checking whether the signs provide adequate clearance for large emergency vehicles, with plans already in place to adjust their position or orientation if necessary. This technical review aims to further streamline the path for blue-light services during peak travel hours.
Councillor Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for Transport and Economic Growth, said:
“It’s vitally important that our emergency services are able to respond quickly to incidents, especially when there is congestion. I am pleased that by working together we have been able to identify a solution. Moving forwards this must be a key determining factor in Shropshire Council’s decision making related to any future changes.”
Simon Hardiman, Chief Fire Officer for Shropshire, added:
“Working with colleagues at Shropshire Council has enabled improvements to be made to assist the Service when responding to emergency incidents. A critical element of an emergency response is the ability to make safe and effective progress when travelling under blue light conditions through areas of high congestion. The use of the cycle lane for emergency vehicles has been assessed and is proving beneficial in reaching people when they need us the most.”
The station gyratory scheme, which has been the subject of much discussion and criticism, was approved by the previous Conservative administration and funded by the UK Government.
