Photographs show A525 problems are putting residents at risk

Local resident Philip Hesketh, who lives opposite the new Co-op and has been bearing the full brunt of the parking and traffic issues in Shropshire Street, has been keeping a close eye on the worsening situation. The photographs he has taken show just some of the problems.

A delivery lorry parked right up against the shop wall means pedestrians have to walk round in the middle of the road, a primary route used by large numbers of HGVs. Pedestrians also have to step out in to the road with their view almost totally blocked – a serious accident just waiting to happen.

The road is also blocked regularly, hardly surprisingly when it's clear from another photograph how difficult it is for vehicles to pass.

Regular readers may recall that a detailed submission was sent to the Minister of Transport last summer about the problems in Audlem with the A525 primary route. His reply, three months later, acknowledged that he was the person responsible but then suggested a hugely complex way for the village to deal with the issue. A letter went back to him on 13th November and said:

You state in your letter that you have Ministerial responsibility for this issue. You will note from our submission that you have been made formally aware of:

1. A serious Health & Safety issue relating to the A525 through Audlem.

2. A possible breach of Article 8 of the European Convention providing for the right to respect for the home which has been incorporated into domestic law by the Human Rights Act, introduced by your Government.

As the individual with, according to your letter, Ministerial responsibility for this road, and given the seriousness of these issues, we expect you, not us, to take this issue forward as you and your officials will fully understand the complex decision making process you are in charge of. We look forward to hearing from you.

Two and a half months later, no reply has been received from the minister – the Ministry of Transport clearly moves at a snail's pace, a little like the traffic through Audlem! Perhaps the photographs published today will bring home to the Minister the real nature of the Health & Safety issues involved. He will be pressed for an answer and to take action.

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