Shrewsbury Bus Route Disruptions Due to Gas Main Repairs

Shrewsbury Bus Services Face Disruptions Amidst Gas Main Upgrades

Shrewsbury, UK – July 19, 2024 – Commuters and residents in Shrewsbury are advised of upcoming changes to two key bus services due to essential gas main replacement works scheduled for Longden Road and Roman Road. The utility work, carried out by Cadent Gas, will necessitate temporary one-way closures on Longden Road, impacting services operated by Arriva and Lakeside Coaches.

Breaking News:

Starting July 21st, notable disruptions will affect bus routes. A one-way closure on the east section of Longden Road,from July 21st to August 4th,will alter the Arriva 26 service. Afterward, the west section of Longden Road will be subject to a one-way closure from July 21st to August 15th, impacting the Lakeside Coaches service. These closures are crucial for the safe and efficient replacement of gas mains, a vital infrastructure betterment for the community.

Evergreen Insights: Navigating Urban Infrastructure Projects

This situation highlights a common challenge in urban environments: the delicate balance between essential infrastructure maintenance and maintaining daily life for residents. Gas main replacement, while disruptive, is a critical undertaking to ensure public safety and the reliability of essential services.

The Importance of Proactive Maintenance: Investing in infrastructure upgrades like gas main replacements is crucial for preventing future, potentially more severe, issues such as leaks or service interruptions. This proactive approach ensures the long-term safety and efficiency of utility networks.
Understanding Service disruptions: Temporary changes to public transport are an unfortunate but often unavoidable outcome of such essential work. Commuters are encouraged to plan ahead, check for updated schedules, and consider alternative travel arrangements during these periods.
Community Impact and Dialog: Effective communication from utility companies and transport providers is paramount during these times. Clear signage,timely public announcements,and readily available data help minimize inconvenience and confusion for those affected. The Role of Public Transport: Despite disruptions,the continued operation of public transport,albeit with diversions,is vital for maintaining community connectivity and reducing reliance on private vehicles,which can exacerbate traffic congestion during such works.

Specific Service Adjustments:

East Closure (July 21 – august 4): Arriva Service 26 (Meole Village to Shrewsbury Bus Station)

Outbound Journey (Bus Station to Meole Village): The service will operate as usual.
Inbound Journey (Meole Village to Bus Station): A temporary diversion will be in place. From the end of Upper Road,buses will turn right onto Roman Road,proceed to the traffic lights,turn left onto Hereford Road,then left onto South Hermitage. The service will then turn right onto Longden Road to resume its normal route into Shrewsbury.
Affected Bus Stops (Inbound): Priory Playing Fields, Cemetery, Central Drive Junction, and South Hermitage Junction will be temporarily out of service for passengers travelling towards Shrewsbury.

West Closure (July 21 – August 15): Lakeside Coaches Service (Radbrook to Shrewsbury Bus Station)

Outbound Journey (Bus Station to Henlow Rise): The service will run as normal up to the Henlow Rise bus stop.
Diversion: From Henlow Rise, the service will turn left into Grange Road, proceeding to the junction at the bottom with Roman Road.
Return Journey: After turning and waiting for the regular departure time, the service will return to the bus station via its normal route.
* Affected Bus Stops: Bank Drive West and stops along Longden Road will be unavailable to passengers during this period.

how might the road closures on Smithfield Road and Castle Street specifically impact deliveries to businesses in the town center?

Current disruptions & Affected Routes

Meaningful disruptions to Shrewsbury bus services are currently in effect due to essential gas main repair work being undertaken by Cadent Gas. These repairs, impacting several key routes, began on july 14th, 2025, and are expected to continue until approximately August 15th, 2025. The work is concentrated around the town centre, specifically affecting areas near Smithfield Road, castle Street, and parts of the High Street.

Here’s a breakdown of the routes currently experiencing alterations:

Route 5: diversion via Monkmoor Road and London Road. Expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

Route 7: Service terminates at Frankwell Park & Ride. A shuttle bus is operating to the town centre.

Route 8 & 8A: Significant route changes, operating via Battlefield and Harlescott. Check the Arriva Midlands website for detailed maps.

Route 9 & 9A: Partial suspension of service between Abbey Foregate and the town centre.

Route 11: Diversion around the town centre, adding approximately 15 minutes to journey times.

Park & Ride Services: Frankwell Park & Ride is operating with a reduced frequency due to the disruptions.

Understanding the Impact: Shrewsbury Town Centre Access

The gas main repairs are primarily focused on upgrading the aging infrastructure beneath Shrewsbury town centre. While necessary for long-term safety and reliability of gas supply, the work inevitably causes considerable inconvenience for commuters and visitors. Access to the town centre is still possible,but requires planning and consideration of choice transport options.

Specific road Closures & Restrictions

As of July 20th, 2025, the following road closures are in place:

Smithfield Road: Fully closed between the A5 and Castle walk.

Castle Street: One-way system in operation, with traffic flow restricted to uphill onyl.

Part of High Street: Lane closures in place near the Market Hall.

These closures are subject to change,so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest details from Shropshire Council and Arriva Midlands.

Alternative Transport Options During Disruptions

Navigating Shrewsbury during these bus route changes requires exploring alternative transport solutions.Here are some options:

1. Park & Ride: Utilize the Meole Brace and Harlescott Park & Ride facilities. While Frankwell is affected, the other sites offer a convenient way to avoid town centre congestion.
2. Walking & Cycling: Shrewsbury is a relatively compact town. Walking or cycling can be viable options for shorter journeys.
3. Train Services: Shrewsbury Railway Station provides connections to various destinations. Consider train travel if feasible.
4. Taxi Services: local taxi companies are experiencing increased demand. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
5. Car Sharing: Explore car-sharing schemes or coordinate with colleagues/friends for shared journeys.

Real-Time Information & Updates

Staying informed is key to minimizing disruption. Here are the best resources for real-time updates:

Arriva Midlands Website: https://www.arrivamidlands.co.uk/ – Provides detailed route maps, timetables, and service updates.

Shropshire Council website: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/ – Offers information on road closures and traffic management.

Cadent Gas Website: https://www.cadentgas.com/ – Provides updates on the gas main repair project.

Twitter: Follow @arrivamidlands and @ShropCouncil for live updates.

Traveline West Midlands: https://www.travelinewestmidlands.com/ – Multi-modal journey planning.

Shrewsbury Bus Disruptions: A Past Viewpoint

Shrewsbury has experienced similar, albeit less extensive, bus route disruptions in the past due to infrastructure projects. In 2018, roadworks on Dogpole caused significant delays for several weeks. The lessons learned from that experience – namely, the importance of clear communication and readily available alternative transport options – have been applied to the current situation.Shropshire Council has worked with Arriva Midlands to implement a more thorough diversion strategy and provide more frequent updates to the public.

Benefits of the Gas Main Upgrade

While the current disruptions are frustrating,the long-term benefits of the gas main upgrade are substantial:

Improved Gas Supply Reliability: The new infrastructure will reduce the risk of gas leaks and supply interruptions.

Enhanced safety: Modern gas mains are significantly safer than older systems.

Support for Future Growth: The upgraded network will be able to accommodate future increases in gas demand.

Reduced Carbon Emissions: More efficient gas distribution can contribute to lower carbon emissions.

practical Tips for Commuters

Allow Extra Time: Add at least 30 minutes to your journey time, especially during peak hours.

Plan Your Route: Use the Arriva Midlands website or app to plan your journey in advance.

check for Updates: Before you travel, check for the latest service updates on the websites and social media channels listed above.