COVID Testing, Wombles, Dog Theft and Local Works

There are now 2 sites in Shifnal available for COVID tests:

1. Shifnal Cricket Club – This is open for the lateral flow testing which will give a result in approx. 30mins
2. Aston Street Car Park – This is open for the swab test, where the results are more accurate but they do have to be sent off and can take up to 7 days for the result to come back.

Both sites are by appointment only either via the NHS web site or by calling 119.

Both site will be in operation until at least Sunday 7^th March, although a review of the testing sites will take place at the end of the week.

The Shifnal and Albrighton Safer Neighbourhood Team have published their March newsletter, praising the work of the TF11 Wombles who are doing a tremendous job of keeping the area tidy. I have asked Shropshire Council to ensure they pick up the bin bags for the group and I know that Jonathan has also been in touch with Cllr. Peter Nutting.

Residents who own dogs should beware of potential dog theft as the neighbourhood team have reported there have been a couple of incidents in the area. We purchased a personal attack alarm as a precaution as people have been stopped in the street as they are walking their dog.

Essential Drainage Maintenance works have commenced in Newport Road, Albrighton from the 01/03/2021 to 26/03/2021

The works are programmed to take place on MOD land and Newport Road, Albrighton under temporary traffic management between 1st March and 26^th March 2021, All temporary traffic management operations will be undertaken between the hours of 09:30am and 4:00pm on Newport Road, Albrighton.

Schedule:

• W/C 1^st – Kier open up access points within the security fencing to each manhole and secure.
• 2^nd  – to the 5^th  Wilkinson’s Environmental to clean and prep the carrier pipe.
• W/C 8^th– to the 12^th Wilkinson’s Environmental to line the carrier pipe / At some point that week Traffic lights will be erected for 1 day for around 4 hours to access the chamber to cut the lining.
• W/C  15^th – to the 26^th – Kier to install the access gates to the manhole covers.

I am hopeful that this will provide a long term solution to the perennial flooding which occurs under the bridge.

Shropshire Council have announced a further £6 million of funding to help local businesses that have been hit by the third lockdown.

The latest round of support takes the total amount of business grant funding handed out to firms by Shropshire Council to £125 million since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

The latest grant payment will cover a 44-day period from 16 February 2021 to 31 March 2021, and eligible businesses will receive the following amounts depending on their rateable value.

• A qualifying business with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under will receive a payment of £2,096 per 44-day qualifying period
• A qualifying business with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a payment of £3,143 per 44-day qualifying period
• A qualifying business with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above will receive a payment of £4,714 per 44-day qualifying period

Finally, I am continuing to pursue road local issues, particularly Aston Street and Evelith Lane (where the Council have said they will send an inspection team this week). The current Conservative administration have announced an additional £40 million for local roads and pavements over the next four years. This is welcome news, however, no doubt, like myself, you may be forgiven for being cynical about this announcement and whether we will see a real change in the performance of the much criticised highways department at Shropshire Council.