Oswestry driving instructors raise alarm over dangerous road defects
Critical road issues affecting learner drivers
Driving instructors in Oswestry have raised concerns about hazardous road conditions, citing "critical, hazardous road defects" that pose dangers for learners and the general public.
The Oswestry & District Driving Instructors Association, representing 27 local instructors, has officially complained to Shropshire Council about the poor maintenance of roads around the area.
Chairman Gareth Jones identified four specific sites, including Mile End Roundabout, where non-existent road markings and severe potholes have led to unsafe conditions.
The association has demanded upgrades to road signage at several junctions to enhance safety, highlighting areas like Fire Station Junction and Maesbury Road - Maes y Clawd Junction as particularly problematic.
The group is pressing for swift action from Shropshire Council to address these road safety issues and improve conditions for drivers in Oswestry.
David Vasmer, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for highways, has reaffirmed the commitment to improving the county’s roads, addressing the rise in potholes due to adverse weather conditions.
Following cold and wet winter spells and a summer heatwave that strained the highways network, Shropshire Council has repaired nearly 30,000 potholes since the beginning of the year.
Vasmer noted that preventing pothole formation is a priority, with resurfacing efforts planned for over 90 roads and more than 70 already surface dressed, including those in and around Oswestry.
The council is also considering a complaint from the Oswestry and District Driving Instructors Association, with officers scheduled to meet the complainant soon to discuss their concerns.
Vasmer expressed the importance of the meeting, stating, "It wouldn’t be appropriate to say more publicly ahead of this meeting."
Ongoing efforts continue as Shropshire Council works to enhance road safety and sustainability across the region.