Local updates and full response from Shropshire Council Cabinet on Junction 3

Over the past year, and more recently I have been contacted regarding unfinished land under the railway bridge between the Thomas Beddoes development and the Redrow estate Aston Fields, Bluebell Way Underpass. I received an update this week.

These works will form part of the upgrade of footway links in Shifnal that will be funded through developer contributions. Shropshire Council have proposals WSP have put together and a draft drawing of the plans. The plans are only in a draft format at the moment but will be subject to discussions with myself and Cllr Turley. I am incredibly pleased that this is progressing now and hopefully it will be completed within a few months.

This week I received an update from the Drainage and Flood Risk Manager at Shropshire Council on the drainage relining at RAF Cosford-Newport Road, Albrighton.

The works currently being undertaken by Shropshire Council at the railway bridge are part of this year’s capital highway drainage programme. It has taken quite a bit of work with Network Rail and MOD to get these on site so its good news that they are finally progressing.

There is grant funding available for this project: the DFT Challenge Fund. Shropshire Council are currently working with WSP on a programme for delivering works associated with this in the next financial year. As soon as further information is available Shropshire Council will be engaging with the Parish Council and Flood Action Group to ensure the project addresses some of the longstanding highway flooding issues in Albrighton.

I have been contacted by members of the public about various issues, including parking and a dropped kerb in Shifnal with the potential to cause accidents. I have also followed up on previous emails sent on Evelith Road, Aston Street and Upton Lane. These issues are currently with Shropshire Council’s Highways Operations Manager.

When I stood for election for Shifnal South and Cosford in July 2018, I campaigned for the Shifnal Police station to be reopened. Unfortunately the police had withdrawn their presence from the Town. Subsequently Shifnal Town Council purchased the property, which I opposed, having concerns about its ongoing cost to the taxpayer.

However, an opportunity has now arisen to get the police back into Shifnal. They are interested in having a staff presence in part of the old police station. Initially, I considered this offer from the police to be astonishing given that they had previously closed the station, and that the Town Council might be effectively subsidising them to be in Shifnal. However, being pragmatic, I believe it would be good for the Town to have police based here rather than having to travel from other Towns. This proposal will be coming to the Town Council soon. I am interested in your opinion on this. Would you like to see the police back in Shifnal, located at the old police station? Please either comment on this post or email me at ebirdshropshire@gmail.com with your views.

I am able to provide a full transcript of the question I asked of cabinet and the response provided by Cllr. Macey. As I had previously mentioned, this was a robust response. He has reiterated that the local plan does not, and as far as Shropshire Council are concerned, will not include developments at Junction 3 of the M54 near Tong, and that this had already been agreed by the Association of Black Country Authorities (ABCA), of which Dudley Borough Council are included. The final outcome is determined by a government inspector, but given this agreement with ABCA already exists, any legal challenge by them or a Black Country Council would be completely undermined. I believe that there are a few local councillors playing politics unfortunately.

From the outset I have lobbied Cllr Nutting and Cllr Macey, in meetings, email and telephone conversations I have had with them. They have always supported my case and that of Tong Parish Council and its chair Cllr Fisher that the development at Junction 3 is completely disproportionate for such a small hamlet. I would also like to thank Shifnal Matters and ATM54 who have campaigned against this, raising its profile in the press and with the public. As others have pointed out, its not over yet, it could be subject to an appeal, but I am confident that if that did occur, Shropshire Council would win.

Cllr Ed Bird

Regarding a recent article in the Shropshire Star, in which Dudley council leader, Peter Harley the leader of Dudley council has written to Shropshire Council objecting to its decision to withdraw backing for the developments at Junction 3 of the M54. Can the cabinet please provide assurances that its stance will not change and that the land at junction 3 will remain in the green belt?

Cllr Robert Macey, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Strategic Planning said:

Following extensive consultation and consideration of issues during the Regulation 18 stage of Plan preparation, in December 2020 Cabinet agreed to consult on the Pre-submission Draft of the Local Plan at the Regulation 19 stage, which did not include proposals for development on land north of Junction 3 on the M54 and thus proposed to retain this land in the Green Belt. 

Consideration will now be given to all duly made representations made to the Regulation 19 consultation.  Whilst it is acknowledged the recent letter from the leader of Dudley Borough Council has raised concerns about the omission of land at Junction 3, it should also be noted that the duly made representations made by the Association of Black Country Authorities (ABCA), of which Dudley Borough Council are included, have raised no objections regarding the omission of land north of Junction 3 for development relating to issues of soundness or Duty to Cooperate legal compliance.   The Council will be continuing Duty to Cooperate discussions through ABCA.   

Further to this I just want to clarify.

We are undertaking this review in order to maintain an up-to-date local plan that works for Shropshire. Decisions about how we do this lie with this authority before been considered by the Government Inspector.

We take our legal duty to cooperate with others seriously as has been demonstrated by our engagement with other authorities and updates and decisions made by Cabinet at these meetings. In fact, as referenced earlier we have reached an agreement that does not require Shropshire to specify any sites or alter our plan from the one we think is best for our area.

That been said, I fail to understand how two authorities that have signed a letter from the Association of Black Country Authorities (ABCA) providing broad support for this position, can in the very same consultation enter a contradictory position.

I have also noted the strong response from the local MP Mark Pritchard and the disappointment expressed by our own Leader.

What I would say to the people of Shropshire is that we will continue to work to produce a local plan, that meets our legal duties and that is right for Shropshire. Beyond that, Shropshire will not be dictated to by other authorities outside of our boundaries, especially those failing to abide by the good faith under which we have proceeded.