A leading Shropshire councillor has said he is “cautiously optimistic” the government will fund the North West Relief Road.

The £71 million plan is hanging in the balance after Shropshire Council requested £54m from the Department for Transport’s Large Local Major Schemes Fund.

But despite hopes it would be included in March’s Spring Budget, confirmation is still outstanding.

Councillor Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways, said a recent Westminster meeting with transport minister Jesse Norman had left him feeling hopeful.

He said: “Everything has slipped a bit, but we were told we would have a decision by the summer. I am hoping is going to be a positive decision.

“I feel more confident now I have met with the transport minister than I have done in recent months that we will get the right decision.

“I don’t think the meeting would have happened if not – if it wasn’t on the government’s agenda, there would have been no point in having the meeting.”

Shropshire Council previously pledged to provide the remaining £17m towards the relief road plan which would link the outer ring road for Shrewsbury between the Oxon Link Road and Battlefield.

It would also relieve the pressure on villages such as Ruyton XI Towns and Baschurch.

However, its success was dependent on the plan being ‘in delivery’ by April 1.

Despite the delay, Cllr Davenport said he was remaining postive, but added he would be holding Mr Norman to his pledge of making a funding decision by the summer.

He added: “In fairness to him, he has taken the time to really look at this.

“I’m now in commuication with the right people – which has been a difficult thing to do – but it was very good having the opportunity to speak to to Mr Norman alongside councillors and MPs.”

Others in attendance at the meeting included North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson and Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski.