The county is the only UK location included in the list by travel trade organisation Abta, which described it as a “rural gem” with “beautiful landscapes, towns and villages”.
Shropshire is joined on the list by the islands of Aruba and Mauritius, as well as Vietnam, Zambia, the Spanish region of Extremadura and Saxony in Germany.
Like many councils across the country, Shropshire Council faces a very tough financial position and is seeking residents’ help in shaping some difficult decisions that lie ahead.
“At just over halfway through this financial year, we have achieved 80% of our spending reductions target of £51.4m. Our plan is to build on these strong foundations to overcome the challenges that still lie ahead into the next financial year and beyond.
Our biggest pressure is that the funding we have to deliver our services hasn’t kept pace with the demand that we are seeing, especially in adults’ social care and children’s social care, which makes up nearly 80% of the council budget.
Essentially, we are having to do much more with less so we can carry on supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities. To keep doing this, we will have to make some difficult decisions. We will need to change the way we deliver some services, whilst some others may need to stop altogether. We want to understand your priorities, as residents, businesses, staff or stakeholders, so that any future decisions are made with these in mind. Our budget consultation starts today, and this is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on how we can achieve the £50m spending reductions that we must make before 2025, which includes the 4.99% council tax increase that the Government allocation assumes we will make.”
Go to online budget consultation The themes include increasing efficiency, increasing income, reducing third-party spending and making sure that we are the right size as an organisation. The survey should take less than fifteen minutes and will run until 28 January 2024. Every voice matters. Feedback from this will then inform the final budget proposals which will come back to the council in February.
Please try and take the time to express your opinions.
The No.64 Arriva bus service between Market Drayton and Shrewsbury will operate a Saturday timetable from Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 December. Please check timetables before travelling.
Shropshire Youth’s aim is to help improve the community for young people. So that they know what they can do to help, they’re asking young people all over Shropshire to fill in this questionnaire. By taking the time to do this you will have an active role in making your community better for you and other young people in Shropshire.
The link below will take you to the Council’s survey page:
The A53 between Battlefield and the Muller Roundabout will be subject to night closures for carriageway repairs. Closures will be from 20:00 – 06:00. The work will be carried out in 4 phases:
Phase 1 – Battlefield to Shawbury – 29/08/2023-30/08/2023 (1 night)
Phase 2 – Shawbury to Hodnet – 30/08/2023-01/09/2023 (2 nights)
Phase 3 – Hodnet to Tern Hill roundabout – 04/09/2023-05/09/2023 (1 night)
Phase 4 – Tern Hill roundabout to Muller roundabout – 05/09/2023-07/09/2023 (2 nights)
There will be timetable changes to the No.64 service from Monday 4th September.
You can view the new timetable by clicking below:
Work to install new traffic lights and pedestrian crossing facilities at the Tesco Extra junction in Shrewsbury will be carried out from 24 July for six weeks.
The work will involve the removal of the existing traffic lights, and their replacement with new signals and safer pedestrian crossing facilities. The new equipment will also be more energy efficient.
The pedestrian crossing between The Range and Go Outdoors on Arlington Way will also be modified to make it a staggered signalised crossing. This will involve a significant amount of construction work on the central refuge.
For the duration of the work there will be temporary four-way traffic lights and pedestrian crossing facilities, with delays expected.
Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, will be at the Lyon Hall on Friday. She is keen to meet residents to hear what we have to say on the issues that matter to us.
Map showing the location and extent of the works.
The next phase of work to improve safety on the A529 near Market Drayton is to be carried out from 15 June to 7 July 2023 at the Gingerbread Man (A529/A53) roundabout.
Work will be carried out under multi-way temporary traffic signals from 7am to 6pm each day, though with no multi-way signals after 4pm on 3, 4 and 5 July.
The work will include
During the work, signed diversions will be in place and businesses will be open as normal. Access to residential and business properties will be maintained
Hodnet Footpath Group are again running a ‘Glow Worm Walk’ on the evening of 27th June – weather permitting*.
This is a night time walk when we try to spot some of Hodnet’s rare glow worms, these rare beetles being found locally only in the vegetation alongside the old railway line running from Hodnet to Wollerton. During their brief breeding season the females can be spotted glowing to attract a mate. Ideally a warm, dark and dry night is the best time to spot them from mid June to mid July.
This year we are meeting at The Bear in Hodnet from 9 pm, for those who would like to have a drink/socialise beforehand, and then making our way to the old Railway Line bridge on Station Road, Hodnet, for a 10.30PM departure. If you prefer you can meet up at the railway bridge on Station Road at 10.30. There is roadside parking nearby.
Children and dogs (on leads) welcome. Sensible shoes and clothing and a torch advised.
*In case of rain the event will be be cancelled and take place at the same times/venues the following Tuesday, July 4th.