FAQs
Why are you removing 'Darwin's Oak'?
The route for the NWRR has been specifically chosen because it has the lowest environmental impact of possible routes. It impacts on the minimum number of veteran trees possible. Nine veteran trees – trees that have developed some of the features found on ancient trees but that are not ancient – have been identified for removal.
The area around the north of Shrewsbury is home to hundreds of veteran trees. One of these trees, which is due to be removed, has been informally named the ‘Darwin’s Oak’ by campaigners against the NWRR. There is no evidence of any connection between Darwin and this specific tree versus any other in the area.
As a council, we recognise the value of all trees in the area. We've weighed this against the significant benefits of the scheme – principally making Shrewsbury town centre a more pleasant environment in reducing traffic and pollution.
We've committed to woodland management plans to enhance the condition of 26 veteran trees in the area of the route, as well as an area of ancient woodland and two local nature reserves. We'll also replace each single lost tree with six newly planted ones. 84 new trees will be planted in locations specifically identified to give them the best chance of becoming the veteran trees of the future, and we'll create a new four-hectare woodland of native tree species for the benefit of future generations.
As well as trees, there are plans to create biodiverse corridors and make much-needed improvements to natural habitats, which will attract and support a variety of wildlife.
Why hasn’t the council made a tree preservation order for ‘Darwin’s Oak’?
We've received a number of requests from the public to make a tree preservation order (TPO) on the nine veteran trees to be removed to enable construction of the NWRR. It should be noted that two of the nine trees are already protected under TPOs that existed prior to the planning application being submitted. We don't consider it beneficial at this stage to make a new TPO related to the NWRR for the following reasons:
- Under tree protection legislation, a TPO doesn't provide protection against removal of a tree where necessary to implement a full planning permission. It's therefore not possible to apply a TPO to the seven unprotected veteran trees that under approved plans are to be removed to implement the NWRR scheme
- In the event of a legal challenge to the planning permission, the situation will be reviewed
Why are you building a new road after Shropshire Council declared a climate emergency?
The NWRR road is actually the long-overdue final leg of an existing - and mostly complete - project to build an outer ring road for Shrewsbury. The completion of the project is important to encourage more people to get out of cars and to cycle, walk and use public transport in and around Shrewsbury town centre. The new route will considerably shorten many journeys made by public transport and other road vehicles into and across Shrewsbury, helping to reduce carbon emissions over the longer term. It will also help to attract new employers to the area, and to ensure that Shrewsbury and its surrounding areas remain vibrant and thriving communities into the future.
Why don’t you invest in improving public transport instead?
In order to make improvements to public transport, we need to create an environment that makes it attractive, and we need the infrastructure to deliver it. The NWRR delivers both.
The NWRR is a key part of reducing vehicle traffic in the central areas of Shrewsbury, and removing the need for traffic to travel into and out of the town centre, simply to move between the north and west of town. The resultant reductions in traffic within the town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods allow for more reliable public transport journeys, as well as increased levels of cycling and walking, creating an environment in which more sustainable forms of travel become more prominent.
What has the Environment Agency said about the scheme?
Through the planning process, statutory agencies are consulted on proposals. The Environment Agency (EA), which is also a government non-departmental agency, did object to our plans based on concerns about the possibility of pollution seeping into the water supply.
The purpose of the planning process is to highlight such potential issues so that solutions can be sought. Solutions are then made legally binding via planning conditions that accompany any planning approval.
A planning condition requiring the water supply to be protected was implemented, and a suitable solution has now been arrived at in discussion with the EA that fully satisfies this condition. This will ensure that water supplies in the area will be unaffected by the NWRR during construction and operation.
How much is the scheme expected to cost?
With the revised application, the estimated cost of building the proposed road has been reduced from £87.1m to £80.1m, saving £7m. An up-to-date figure will be included in the full business case (FBC).
How can you justify the NWRR project when the costs of the scheme keep rising?
Construction costs have been rising over recent years as a result of high inflation and the war in Ukraine. However, these cost pressures relate to all construction projects, not just the NWRR. Projects to deliver renewable energy infrastructure, or build a new hospital, are also affected by costs rising. The focus should therefore be on the value that the project delivers and whether it's worth the investment. We're clear that the NWRR remains a critical part of delivering on a number of strategies that are key to the future of the area, so it remains very much a scheme that should be delivered.
Funding for the road comes from a variety of sources, including the Department for Transport, the former Marches LEP, and developer contributions, with the council only directly funding a small part. This means that the money committed can't be spent on day-to-day services, as it has been allocated on the condition of building the NWRR.
Even if the scheme is worth it, how can the council justify the expenditure at a time when services are being cut?
The funding for the NWRR is being provided through various grants from central government. The current estimated cost is around £87m, meaning that even if costs should rise further, it will be well below the £200m that has often been reported.
Councils have a responsibility to take actions to support the growth of the local economy, to provide job opportunities for local people, and to implement key strategies to ensure their area remains successful in the future. The NWRR is seen as a key part of delivering on these responsibilities.
What is the current status of the planning application?
Planning committee resolved to grant planning permission, subject to agreement of section 106 and satisfactory discharge of conditions, on 31 October 2023. These conditions, 62 in total, were considered and approved at planning committee on 15 February 2024. Work to complete the required Section 106 agreements is now taking place, which will allow for full planning permission to be granted in 2024.
Why has the NWWR been combined with the Oxon Link Road?
In 2019, following the award of £54m of funding from the Department for Transport towards the construction of the NWRR, we took the decision to withdraw our application for the OLR and include it in the proposals for the NWRR.
By combining the schemes, the Oxon Link Road can more easily contribute to the strategic objective of the NWRR, whilst also better delivering on the link road’s specific goal of facilitating the Shrewsbury West Urban Extension (SUE).