Long wait for collapsed road repairs causing concern

People living in a village will have to wait until the end of July for a road collapse to be repaired.

A storm in December caused the damage to the Grove Farm Culvert in Cardington, Shropshire, and that road is now closed.

Cardington North Bridge also suffered damage and has been temporarily repaired by Shropshire Council, with a more permanent repair promised by mid-September.

Villagers have complained about the ongoing disruption, and one resident, Mike Rust, said: "It's the very fabric of the village that changes."

He said people were being sent on diversions down country lanes, adding 20 minutes or more to their journey times.

Mr Rust also said he worried about how some of the roads would cope when they become busy with farm vehicles later in the year.

He claimed one of the lanes was already "disintegrating in front of our eyes".

Tony Sheppard said he had lived in Cardington for 50 years and said the road closures were inconvenient when he had to go out for supplies.

But he said he was more worried about "the young ones who have to use them every single day".

He said some of the minor roads being used as a diversion had been flooded in the past and were covered in potholes.

Mr Rust said the extra traffic being sent down those lanes could make them break up even further.

Shropshire Council said previously the replacement of culverts was being "carefully considered" to ensure they were fit for purpose, and the need for additional funding often caused delays.

It said it was "giving this aspect of the project due regard and priority".

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