Shrewsbury MPSS Phase 1 - Traffic Modelling, Design and Implementation

Shropshire Council, in its capacity as local highway authority and as a partner within the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, is undertaking preliminary market engagement (PME) ahead of an anticipated procurement of multi-disciplinary consultancy services to support the further development and delivery of the Shrewsbury Movement and Public Space Strategy (MPSS) Phase 1 Interventions. The MPSS was adopted in December 2024 as a place-based, integrated strategy to sustain and improve the vitality, viability, accessibility and environmental quality of Shrewsbury town centre. Phase 1 comprises a coherent package of town-centre interventions, including (but not limited to): town-centre traffic loops; a priority pedestrian zone; a two-way bus corridor on St Mary's Street; servicing access; Local Access Priority Areas at Coleham/Belle Vue; an enhanced Park and Ride offer; bus priority on key routes; graduated parking charges; and Blue Badge provision within the river loop. The anticipated commission is structured around six staged, outcome-based gateways covering: Stage 1 - Preferred Option Development; Stage 2 - Delivery and Phasing Plan; Stage 3 - Outline Business Case; Stage 4 - Detailed Design and Stakeholder Engagement; Stage 5 - Approval to Proceed to Delivery (Full Business Case); and Stage 6+ - Tender, Delivery and Implementation of Phase 1 Interventions. Implementation may be progressed via an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), subject to further development and statutory processes. Through this engagement, the contracting authority is seeking feedback from the market on packaging, route to market, delivery model, supplier capacity and capability, and risks and dependencies, to inform its forthcoming procurement strategy. Engagement is being conducted in accordance with sections 16 and 17 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the associated statutory guidance. A supporting Preliminary Market Engagement document and questionnaire are available - see the Engagement section below.