Author: Sarah

A442 Road Closures July 2020

Between Radmoor Crossroads and the A53 Espley Roundabout, there will be a series of road closures in July:

1st July 2020 for 4 days between 20:00 – 05:00 each day

17th July 2020 for 3 days between 09:30 – 16:00 each day

21st July 2020 for 3 days between 09:30 – 16:00 each day


There is an alternative route: A53, B5063 Wytheford Road, Cotwall Lane B5062, A442

Roadworks 30 June – 1 July 2020

On the A49 700 meters south from the turning for Weston-Under-Redcastle.

There will be two-way signals operating while a faulty in-road vehicle detection sensor is replaced and delays are likely.

Branches of Shropshire Libraries to accept returns!

Shropshire Libraries currently remain closed in line with national guidance, but for one week beginning Monday 29 June 2020, the six largest libraries will be accepting returns of books and other library items that have been on loan.

In order to facilitate the safest possible reopening, for one week beginning Monday 29 June 2020, a book returns service will be offered by the libraries in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, and Bridgnorth.

Book returns will be accepted between 10am and 2pm from Monday to Friday (not Wednesday at Whitchurch; not Thursday at Market Drayton, Ludlow or Bridgnorth). Social distancing measures will be in place and customers will not have access into the library buildings themselves.

This will enable returns to be quarantined for 72 hours as advised by Public Health England’s National Infection Service.

The latest Government announcement indicates that public libraries will be allowed to start reopening in Step 3 of the lockdown easing plan from Saturday 4 July 2020 or onwards.

In resuming face-to-face services the priority will be the safety of customers, staff and volunteers, with measures that include social distancing, frequent cleaning of surfaces and limited services overall.

Library e-resources can be found here https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/libraries-from-home/

Warning on scam calls claiming to be NHS Test and Trace

Shropshire Council’s trading standards team want to make residents aware of reports of a new telephone scam about NHS Test and Trace that is coming to light.

Callers are contacting residents saying they are from NHS Test and Trace, and telling the resident that they have been in contact with someone suffering from COVID-19, and need to have a test sent out to them.

This is then followed with a request for the resident’s bank details; the caller states that the test and results cost £500.

Currently, coronavirus test kits are provided by the NHS so they are therefore free of charge.

The Department of Health and Social Care has spoken out about this particular scam, with Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, saying that legitimate calls would be “very obvious”.

Shropshire Council’s trading standards team have been made aware of this, and want to urge people not to fall for this scam. If you need a test sent out to you because you are unable to attend a test site, this is done for free; both delivery and collection, followed up by the result.

Important! NHS Test and Trace will NOT:

  • Ask you for details of card or bank account numbers
  • Ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone
  • Ask you to provide or fill in social media login details
  • Ask you to download anything
  • Ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087.

Scam text messages often encourage the recipient to click a link that redirects them to an unsecured website where personal information may be stolen.  

NHS Test and Trace will only ever call from the number 0300 013 5000, or you will be texted from “NHS”.

Roadworks 15 June – 24 July 2020

Shrewsbury Road, Market Drayton – from the Junction of Kings Avenue to opposite The Kings Head Inn & Sainbury’s Local

There will be multi-way traffic signals and delays are likely.

Roadworks 18 – 19 June 2020

A49 Lee Brockhurst Junction to Moston Junction, Lee Brockhurst, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

There will be two-way signals while a faulty in-road vehicle detection sensor is replaced. Some delays possible.

Roadworks 16 – 17 June 2020

A53 from Stanton upon Hine Heath to The Avenue, Stanton upon Hine Heath.

There will be two-way signals while a post and rail fence is erected – delays likely.

NHS test and trace – fraud awareness

If NHS Test and Trace calls you by phone, the service will be using a single phone number 0300 0135 000. The only website the service will ask you to visit is https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk.

Contact tracers will never:

• Ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
• Ask you to make any form of payment
• Ask for any details about your bank account
• Ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
• Ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
• Ask you to purchase a product
• Ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet
• Ask you to access any website that does not belong to the Government or NHS

If you think you have been subjected to, or a victim of, a scam or attempted fraud using Track and Trace or any other fraud please call 101 or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Long queues expected this weekend at Household Recycling Centres

People planning to visit one of Shropshire’s five household recycling centres this weekend are being advised to expect long queues, and asked to avoid visiting the centres if possible.

The five recycling centres reopened earlier this month, but have been getting increasingly busy this week, with queues of up to two hours.