Wem Town Council are planning to write to Chris Grayling, the Minister for Transport, to apply for any funding that may be available for relief roads.

Town mayor, Councillor Edward Towers added he will also be writing to North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson for support in the application after he saw a speech by the government minister.

Mr Grayling, according to Cllr Towers, has said money will be available for small A-roads and that Mr Paterson encouraged him to write to the minister to check their eligibility.

Councillors voted to support the proposal unanimously and said there is a need for urgency.

Meanwhile, Shropshire and town councillor Pauline Dee has reported back on Wem Economic Forum – which contains town and parish council members – and its reaction to Shropshire Council’s response to January’s Heavy Goods Vehicle survey.

It was agreed a review of HGV signage would also need to be undertaken immediately.

The forum agreed that a parking bay outside the old NatWest Bank will be turned into a loading/disabled bay, as well as trying to restrict loading and unloading on the street.

Attendees were told last month zebra crossings and white lines are being repainted and a scheme to make Noble Street a one-way system has already been submitted to the Safer Roads Partnership, among other issues.

In other items at Thursday’s meeting, former mayor, Cllr John Murray, voted against supporting plans by Thomas Adams School to put up 2.4m fences and gates.

He told the meeting it is a traditional open school and asked what message it sent to children, and wanted more information.

However, councillors supported the plans after school governor Roger Drummond explained the new fence was needed from a safety point of view.

For a full breakdown of minutes, head to www.wem.gov.uk