North West Relief Road deemed 'unaffordable'
A report is being recommended to Shropshire Council today
A report recommending the cancellation of the North West Relief Road is to be presented to Shropshire Council today (26th Feb).
The report claims that the scheme is 'unaffordable' and work should not go ahead on the Holyhead Road to Battlefield section.
What is the North West Relief Road?
The project aimed to link the northern and western parts of Shrewsbury wants to improve congestion.
Shropshire Council said the relief road would also open up new opportunities for local businesses by improving connectivity.
However, in June 2025, the Council paused all work on the Shrewsbury North West Relief Road after the government announced it would not offer any more funding to the project.
Shropshire Council's finances...
The Council said that the cost of building the relief road was over the estimated £87.2 million and could cost around £215 million.
Currently, Shropshire Council are struggling with their finances after a forecasted overspend of £53.2 million forcing them to declare a financial emergency.
They said with the cost of the North West Relief Road, their finances would be left in an even worse position.
The Council said the report recommending the cancellation of the North West Relief Road would not apply to the western section: The A5 Churncote to Holyhead Road or Oxon Link Road.
They said this section is subject to a separate assessment of options and they will make further announcements in due course.
Their Full Council meeting is scheduled for 10:00am today (Feb 26th).