Local Issues in Shifnal and Albrighton, Bus Services and a Buildings Update

I have received a lot of correspondence regarding local issues including highways, lighting, litter, and maintenance of green spaces. I’ve tried to include as many of them as I can here. If you want to report a matter directly to me, please contact me at ebirdshropshire@gmail.com.

Issues Raised in Shifnal

Fly tipping near the layby on the Priorslee road has been reported to Shropshire Council.  Two residents collected 5 bags of rubbish and complained of a horrendous smell.

Road markings in Dyas Close (to keep clear) in Shifnal need to be re-painted:

I have received further complaints from residents on the Thomas Beddoes estate.  The Developing Highways manager met with Taylor Wimpey on 22^nd April and has raised these matters with them and has also asked WSP to highlight matters to the site manager and to monitor the situation.  Problems have included lorries on site prior to the site opening time of 7:30, lorries travelling at excessive speeds and general dust and noise generated.

Overgrown tree affecting telephone lines in Moat Croft, Shifnal, reported to the environment department:

I received a complaint about the condition of the verges on Stanton Road and in addition to this, the bus stop is in a poor state, dirty, overgrown, and not maintained.  This has now also bee reported to Shropshire Council:

I also received correspondence from a resident in Silvermere Park regarding the mere.  I have contacted John Bellis and will arrange an initial meeting.  I want to set up a meeting between residents and Mr. Bellis to enable an open discussion and to ensure he fully understands the history and impact of this problem.

Issues Raised in Albrighton

I have reported potholes in Station Road, Albrighton.  However as can be seen from the image, the pothole has previously been identified (white line sprayed around it).  The job has been logged Ref: – SR-144650-T0H4X7 and I hope it will now be completed!

I contacted Shropshire street lighting and traffic signals team to report a lamp column in Barclay Close, Albrighton which had been knocked over but not replaced. This has now been logged. They also confirmed that they do currently have 2 live jobs to replace lamp column no.s 1 & 2, Windsor Road in Albrighton.  The target date for their contractors to complete these works is the 28^{th of} April 2021. 

Rotten bollards in station road, Albrighton in need of replacement:

Local Bus Services in Shropshire

As you will be aware, Covid-19 has created significant challenges for public transport and exacerbated pressure on Local Government finances. A recent report from the National Audit Office found that many Local Authorities were setting budgets for 2021-22 which were balanced through cuts to services and use of reserves.

Mike Cash, RMT General Secretary has contact councillors and is seeking to understand the potential impact the Covid-19 pandemic may have on the provision of the UK’s local bus services and have asked if I could share a short survey that members of the public may complete on this matter.

The survey is available here – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8JVZPYM and will only take a few minutes to complete.

Buildings update

I have received some correspondence from Dr Andy Wigley, Natural & Historic Environment Manager at Shropshire Council on several properties in Shifnal.

Regarding 22 Market Place, the Historic Environment Team are in contact with the owner and have been seeking to persuade him undertake the necessary repairs.  However, he has persistently failed to carry these out, so the council is now considering its position in terms of taking planning enforcement action.  (NB. The Senior Conservation Officer (Technical Specialist) has visited and will be drawing up a repair schedule to attach to a Notice).

The current owner of Naughty Nells, Park Street, acquired the property a few years ago and has since gained listed building consent for works to bring it back into use as a bar with letting rooms above. The conservation officer understands that the owner is carrying out these works himself as a longer-term project and has previously scaffolded and redecorated the front elevation.  It is possible that the Covid-19 situation has impacted the owner’s plans. 

Public Protection and the HE Team will be investigating other properties in the area. For some though such as a property in Shrewsbury Road, they are aware of the owners, and that it is being very gradually renovated, in which case the council’s powers could not be used (also for some of the properties no specific complaints have been received about them, so officers would need to assess whether it would be expedient to use planning enforcement powers).

Forthcoming Council Meetings

Shifnal Town Council: Thursday, 29th April at 7pm via remote Zoom platform. (The last meeting was postponed due to staff illness).

Tong Parish Council: Monday 24th May, Tong Village Hall, 7pm

At the latest Donington with Boscobel parish council meeting, representatives from the Nature Reserve and from Boscobel House giving us updates. Boscobel House has had a lot of press over its re-opening. Work has carried on at the Nature Reserve despite challenges presented by Covid.

Regarding parish council elections, there is an election in Donington but not Boscobel where no-one stood. There has been some feedback that there was some advice from Shirehall that there is one combined ward, but this is not the case. Therefore, the parish council(s) await instructions on co-option or another election in that ward.

Community Reassurance Update from Shropshire Council

Coronavirus cases in Shropshire are going down and we have one of the lowest infection rates in the region.

Thank you for the hard work that everyone has put in to get us to this position. Thank you all. Clearly, we all still need to be careful and to look out for one another, but with this good news and the arrival of warm Spring weather, there is real optimism in the air.

It has been great to see families and friends enjoying the sunshine and socialising in the open air.

Here are the latest figures behind the optimism.

Testing in Shifnal

The MTU will be open at Aston Street car park until Monday 3rd of May for testing of people who are showing signs of Covid infection. This site is by appointment only. Appointments can be made via the web site or by dialling 119.

The lateral test or rapid flow test site is now open in the Old Police Station until 17th May. This is for asymptomatic people, who can be tested at this site without prior appointments. Home tests are available for collection from the Old Police Station.   

Testing at home

As numbers of Coronavirus cases are decreasing across the nation we have moved to a new phase of testing for the virus. Everyone in England is now able access two rapid coronavirus tests a week under an extension of the government’s testing programme.

Regular testing for people without symptoms is an important tool, alongside ‘hands, face, space, vaccinations and fresh air’, in allowing us to move safely forward as we ease out of lockdown.

You can find details of Lateral Flow Test collection points through this link: Rapid testing in Shropshire | Shropshire Council

There are many collection points across Shropshire, and they range from community and leisure centres to libraries and pharmacies. You also have the option of ordering online for home delivery.