Lorry crash road restrictions to be removed

Road restrictions which have been in place since a lorry crashed into a pub and takeaway three months ago will be removed next week.

The Hong Kong City takeaway and the Three Fishes pub in Bayston Hill near Shrewsbury were both badly damaged and temporary traffic lights were put in place on the A49 while repairs were carried out.

The new owners of the pub, Black Country Ales, still aim to reopen it in the second half of the year.

Operations manager Anthony Walker said: "We're trying to get costs together and dealing with the insurance companies and the loss adjustor."

A planning application for the rebuilding was submitted in December and Mr Walker said once the company has the green light "we can start as soon as possible".

The managing director of Black Country Ales, Graham Manwaring, completed the purchase of the pub just before the crash and said: "It was a lot worse than I thought it was when we got here."

After the lorry was removed he said it became clear three quarters of the pub would have to be removed.

He said the plan remained to keep the front of the pub looking "pretty much the same as it does", while making it larger at the back to create a new cellar.

The traffic restrictions have caused frustration for people using the A49 and for people living and working nearby and it had been hoped they would be removed sooner.

But National Highways West Midlands said: "Utility company works have been taking place this week, we are now carrying out work to replace the pedestrian guard rail."

It said once that was completed "the temporary traffic signals will be removed early next week".

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