Council’s highways service set to be improved through closure of two depots
Shropshire Council has announced plans to close two of its five highways depots, as part of plans to further improve the council’s highways maintenance service. Under the proposals, the depots at Bridgnorth and Hodnet would close, with operations continuing at the three main depots in Whittington, Shrewsbury and Craven Arms. No jobs would be lost, and modelling has demonstrated that there will be no detrimental impact on services to those areas currently covered by those depots. Indeed, it is typical of a council area of Shropshire’s size to be serviced by two to three highway depots.

Via Shropshire Council

New recycling bins agreed by council - and will be offered to residents for free
Recycling wheelie bins will be offered free of charge to all households in the county after senior councillors voted to give the £2.93 million scheme the go-ahead. Councillor Ian Nellins, portfolio holder for climate change, said the initiative was pledged in the Conservative group’s local election manifesto earlier this year and had come about as a result of frequent requests made by members of the public.
He said it would help to boost the county’s already strong recycling rates, prevent recycling getting blown away on windy days, and be easier for residents and collection crews to handle.

Via Shropshire Star

Council to bid for 'mini Holland' funding to make town more cycle and pedestrian friendly
A bid will be made for £20 million of government funding to make a town more cycle and pedestrian friendly following a Shropshire Council U-turn. The authority had initially resisted calls from Shrewsbury councillors to submit an expression of interest for the town to be selected as one of 12 ‘Mini Hollands’ set to be created across the UK – saying there were no extra staff resources to work on an application. But at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday highways portfolio holder Steve Charmley said the council would be submitting a bid after all, following an offer from Shrewsbury Town Council and Business Improvement District (BID) to fund the work. If it is successful, the money will go on new infrastructure like segregated cycleways, the implementation of ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’, and more highways space given over to pedestrians.

Via Shropshire Star

No independent investigation after police van's wall crash in Shrewsbury
A woman was taken to hospital after the crash in Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury, on Sunday afternoon. Neighbours told the Shropshire Star that the police van had been on blue lights when a car pulled out of a driveway, causing the van to swerve into a wall. The road was closed for a short period of time as emergency services checked over the people involved, and made the area safe. The woman taken to hospital suffered minor injuries. A police officer was assessed by medics and found to have no injuries. Traffic was passing in both directions by about 4.45pm, though the police van was still at the scene, along with fire crews that were making the area safe.

Via Shropshire Star