New Phase of Works Start at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings - Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
A five story industrial mill building partially covered with scaffolding
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings in the sunshine, June 2020 © Historic England

New Phase of Works Start at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

18 June 2020

Works starting this June will see an exciting new phase of the restoration of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings get underway.

The next stage in the redevelopment forms part of our sustainable transport plans and will enable better and safer access to the site for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles when it opens. These works are part-funded by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership via its Growth Deal with Government and mark a significant point in the redevelopment of the site.

This new phase will involve the main road outside of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings being worked on. The mini-roundabout at the junction of Sultan Road and Spring Gardens will be enlarged to accommodate a new entrance into the site. Also, two new zebra crossings and a new coach drop off and collection point will be created and works to improve adjoining footpaths will be carried out, as well as works to get the necessary utilities to site.

These essential works mean that there will be temporary traffic lights, path closures and road works taking place outside the building from 22 June, planned to finish in autumn 2020 but now expected to finish in early 2021.

These works have been made possible with the funding received from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership via its Growth Deal with Government. The infrastructure works will create better public access to the site and are part of our sustainable transport plans. The funding will also allow us to mark the line of the former Shropshire Union Canal with the landscaping and planting of a green corridor in front of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings and a new pedestrian and cycling route along the line of the old tow path.

We understand how frustrating disruption from roadworks can be, especially in a busy town like Shrewsbury, and we apologise for any inconvenience that they may cause.

We look forward to welcoming commercial tenants and to the opening of a new visitor experience in 2022 as Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings comes back to life.

Alastair Godfrey, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings Project Lead
Historic England

The works represent another major landmark in the completion of an enormously important project which will bring productive life back to the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. This will mean significant regeneration and pride for the North of Shrewsbury along with opportunities for community activity, learning, recreation, arts and a host of events for all.

The re-configuration of the roundabout and other significant roadworks will no doubt cause disturbance and inconvenience for some time and we must apologise to local people and those delayed during their travels. However the longer term benefits will be tremendous for our area.

Alan Mosley, Councillor for Castlefields and Ditherington and Chair of Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings

The Main Mill and Kiln at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings will open in 2022, with the new visitor experience and café opening on the ground floor and the top four floors available for commercial tenants.

More information about the roadworks can be found below.

Your questions answered

When will the road works outside Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings start and finish?

The roadworks started the week beginning 22 June 2020 and are expected to finish by end of February 2021.

There will be two additional nights of work on the 15 and 16 March 2021 which will involve road closures. Dates and details will be communicated to local residents. This may be subject to change or delay.

Overnight works: The overnight road closure is necessary to undertake resurfacing works.  The closure will be between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am, with the resurfacing taking place earlier into the evening and the traffic management kept on overnight for curing purposes.

The closure and works have to be overnight to minimise traffic disruption, as required by Shropshire Council Highways

Access for Emergency Services will be maintained, at all times, as will access to properties.

The resurfacing works are weather dependent.

If you have a query about the roadworks, please contact the Community Liaison Officer at Alun Griffiths, the contractor:

Gail Jones on 0330 041 2182* or via email [email protected]

*Calls to this number are charged at national call rates and included in inclusive minute plans from landlines and mobiles.

What roadworks will there be?

There will be temporary traffic lights in place at various points along the main road outside Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings between week beginning 22 June 2020 and February 2021, with traffic reduced to one lane. There will also be two nights of work on the 15 and 16 March 2021 which will involve road closures. Dates and details will be communicated to local residents. 

Overnight works: The overnight road closure is necessary to undertake resurfacing works. The closure will be between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am, with the resurfacing taking place earlier into the evening and the traffic management kept on overnight for curing purposes.

The closure and works have to be overnight to minimise traffic disruption, as required by Shropshire Council Highways

Access for Emergency Services will be maintained, at all times, as will access to properties.

The resurfacing works are weather dependent.

During what times will the roadworks be taking place?

The standard hours are 7.30 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday. However, the contractor may need to work some Saturdays, if this is the case, Saturday working hours would be 8 am to 4 pm. There will also be two nights of work on the 15 and 16 March 2021 which will involve road closures. Dates and details will be communicated to local residents.

Overnight works: The overnight road closure is necessary to undertake resurfacing works.  The closure will be between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am, with the resurfacing taking place earlier into the evening and the traffic management kept on overnight for curing purposes.

The closure and works have to be overnight to minimise traffic disruption, as required by Shropshire Council Highways

Access for Emergency Services will be maintained, at all times, as will access to properties.

The resurfacing works are weather dependent.

Why are there roadworks?

The main road outside the site will be worked on this year to enable better access to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings when it opens, to help run utilities up to site, and as part of our sustainable transport plans.

What will be in the new visitor experience?

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings led the way with its pioneering design as the world’s first iron framed building and the grandparent of the modern skyscraper. It has adapted over the years and been a flax mill, a maltings and a barracks for soldiers during WWII. It’s now part of a huge restoration and construction project that has required innovation on many levels to prepare it for a third century of use.

The new visitor experience will share the story of how local technological expertise created this incredible building, as well as shine a spotlight on the stories of some of the people who worked on the site over the years.

There are lots of stories to tell about the past, present and future of the Flaxmill Maltings and we are looking forward to bringing these to life and welcoming people to the new visitor experience in 2022.

Who do I contact if I have a question about the roadworks?

If you have a query about the roadworks, please contact the Community Liaison Officer at Alun Griffiths, the contractor:

Gail Jones on 0330 041 2182* or via email [email protected]

If you have any questions about the restoration plans for Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, please contact the Historic England Project team: [email protected]

*Calls to this number are charged at national call rates and included in inclusive minute plans from landlines and mobiles.

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