Report finds that Gyratory was not properly planned

A cross-party investigation has found that the gyratory improvements outside Shrewsbury railway station were executed without sufficient political supervision or proper planning. The review was initiated by Shropshire Council's economy and environment overview and scrutiny committee following concerns that a newly installed floating bus stop failed to comply with Department for Transport standards.

The report outlines ten recommendations for changes, which are set to be discussed by the council's Liberal Democrat leadership in an upcoming meeting.

Conservative councillor Ed Potter, chair of the committee, emphasized the need to learn from these mistakes. "The key takeaway is to prevent similar issues in future projects," he stated.

The report highlighted that the project relied on a large-scale concept without adequate early-stage change management, governance, assessment, or public consultation. The resulting public dissatisfaction could have been avoided, it noted. Communication breakdowns among the stakeholders and insufficient political oversight were also identified as significant issues.

Among the recommendations is an independent safety audit to determine whether the floating bus stop can be safely used and to explore modifications, such as adjusting bollards to improve emergency vehicle access.

Floating bus stops, which feature a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement, were planned for installation across England, following over 150 such stops in London. Measurements at Shrewsbury revealed the buffer zone between road and cycle lane is 1.1 meters wide, short of the government-recommended 1.52 meters.

Fire engines have reportedly used the new cycle lane to bypass traffic congestion created by the scheme. Disability advocates and wheelchair users criticized the project, while Arriva Midlands suspended services at the affected stop due to safety concerns.

The council previously expressed disappointment with the contractor, WSP, which said underground utility issues forced a reduction in the stops size from the original design.

Potter stressed the importance of fully understanding the scope of work before applying for government funding. He cited miscommunication and missed opportunities during the summer 2025 installation, particularly regarding consultation with partners and emergency services, as contributing factors.

The report also addressed congestion caused by reducing the street outside the station from two lanes to one and highlighted the need for ongoing coordination between traffic management authorities and emergency services.

Potter noted that extensive physical changes to the gyratory may be financially unfeasible given the councils strained budget, but minor adjustments such as optimizing traffic light sequencing could still improve the situation.

Author: Aiden Foster