New speed limit to improve safety

Mardol Head, one of the roads affected by the speed limit

A new 20mph speed limit has been given the green light in Shrewsbury in a bid to cut the number of road accidents.

The restriction will be in place on 28 streets in the centre of the town and will come into force in the summer.

But plans to ban motorists from the High Street have been shelved amid concerns over access.

The county council said it would review plans for a six month trial of traffic restrictions after talking to residents and traders.

Town Walls access

A spokesman said: "The 20mph limit will serve to remind drivers of the need to consider the safety of the many pedestrians who use the town centre.

"On average there are 12 pedestrian injury accidents each year in the town centre, most of which involve pedestrians being hit by cars."

The speed limit is also expected to be extended around Shrewsbury Sixth Form College to improve the safety of its students.

Consultations by the county council showed that most people living and working in the town would support a traffic ban as long as essential access was still allowed.

Penny Spencer, a corporate director of the council said: "I have come to the conclusion that the experimental traffic restrictions should not be introduced immediately as we need to try to address people's concerns about the effect of traffic on the Town Walls route.

"However I believe that there is still a need to reduce the amount of traffic in Shrewsbury's High Street in order to create a safer and more pleasant environment."