A second test to reduce traffic in parts of Shrewsbury town center on weekends is due to start on Saturday 20 November.

According to plans, Wyle Cop (uphill), High Street, Milk Street and Shoplatch will be closed to all traffic on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The square will be closed to traffic every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It follows a previous trial that took place from July to September of this year.

The Shropshire Council says comments from this trial – positive and negative – were reviewed in conjunction with the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership and were taken into account when developing plans for the second trial.

The new trial only takes place on weekends and five additional disabled parking spaces must be provided 24/7 for the duration of the trial – three on Princess Street and two on Claremont Street .

Waiting and loading will be prohibited in the High Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, but the loading bay on Wyle Cop outside the Lion Hotel will remain available via Dogpole, except between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Likewise, no vehicle may use the Wyle Cop car park between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during the trial.

Once the trial has started, people will also be able to provide an answer. This will be taken into account when a test review is carried out in January to decide whether any of the measurements should become permanent.

Meanwhile, feasibility work has started on a low traffic program for the city walls, before councils are given new legal powers to enforce moving traffic orders from next year.

Steve Brown, Head of Transport and Environment at Shropshire Council, said:

“Following the feedback we received on the first test, we have made some adjustments and are now in a position to start a second traffic reduction test in Shrewsbury town center at the weekend. We hope this will give downtown businesses a boost, especially as Christmas approaches.

“Based on the feedback from the first trial, we are confident that this trial will be an improvement over the last, be well received and help us achieve our goals.

“We are all clear that traffic cannot be diverted along city walls in the long term, and work has already started on ways to remove through traffic from city walls in the future.

“I encourage people to give us their views on the trial once it has started.”

Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, said:

“Our recent survey of downtown businesses showed strong support for traffic-free streets, and we’re excited to see an improved program come back over the weekend.

“Along with the traffic changes, we will be organizing festive activities to create a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere for shoppers and visitors as Christmas approaches.

“We encourage all businesses to participate in the consultation so that their views can help shape a long-term pedestrian-friendly strategy for the downtown area.”

Helen Ball, Clerk of Shrewsbury City Council, said:

“We are very supportive of reintroducing the proven traffic restrictions that are so popular with visitors, shoppers and downtown businesses.

“We hope that traffic problems using the city walls can be resolved in the future and that the provisions for disabled access will be improved as we move forward with this trial.

“City Council has been at the forefront of the requirement for priority for pedestrians and alternative travel in the city center, and we look forward to further plans to make this provision permanent as we move forward. towards the implementation of a comprehensive travel strategy and other elements of the big city plan. . “

On Saturdays, during closing hours, relay buses will drop off at Shrewsbury Station, Castle Street (opposite Mark & ​​Spencer) and Dogpole.

More information, including a map and a ‘questions and answers’ section, can be found on a new website – www.shrewsburymoves.com