Drivers trapped in Sainsbury's car park as Oswestry traffic lights cause gridlock
Roadworks in the centre of Oswestry led to gridlock in the town.
Sainsbury's supermarket car park had to be shut for a time on Saturday as staff there worked to try to help shoppers in their cars leave the store.
The traffic backed up from temporary traffic lights at the junction of Salop Road and Roft Street. The lights were removed on Monday evening.
Some drivers said they were marooned while others abandoned their cars and shopping and walked home or rang relatives to pick them up.
Lynne King said her car was trapped in the car park for more than two hours while Jo Earl said that realising she was going to be late for a party she rang her father and then walked to a nearby road to be picked up.
Mike Kirk praised the store staff for working to help shoppers.
Sorry for disruption
Wales & West Utilities Operational Manager for Oswestry, Mark Morris said: “We are working in the Salop Road area of Oswestry to connect homes to the gas network.
"In agreement with Shropshire Council, and in order to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, three-way traffic lights are in place along Salop Road at its junction with Middleton Road, although we expected to remove these lights on Monday.
"A one-way system is also in place along Roft Street, with a diversion route clearly signposted.
"We are working as safely and as quickly as we can, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will complete our work and return the area to normal by Friday.
“We are sorry for the disruption our work may cause and appreciate the patience of the local community while we work.
“Our Customer Service Team is ready to take your call if you have any questions about our work. You can contact them on freephone 0800 912 2999 or enquiries@wwwutilities.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact us on Twitter @WWUtilities or Facebook.com/WWUtilities.”
Gary Parton, Shropshire Council’s senior network manager, said: “The works are being carried out by Wales & West Utilities Ltd, and are essential works to enable mains gas to be connected to the new development at Trinity Court.
“Through traffic is currently being controlled by temporary multi-way traffic signals. We are liaising on a daily basis with Wales & West and have directed that the signals are manually controlled at both peak traffic hours and throughout the day."
