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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

SERVICE DIRECTOR: STRATEGY & CHANGE Are you a visionary leader ready to drive strategy and change at the heart of local government? Shropshire Council is seeking a dynamic Service Director for Strategy and Change to join our Leadership Board. lnkd.in/eZDPeed9

WORK LIFE BALANCE
SHROPSHIRE
Last year over 2,000 people relocated work and found a better work life balance in Shropshire.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

🚶‍♀️👩‍🦽🚲🏡🌳🏢🏗️🛣️🚏🚌🚆 SERVICE DIRECTOR - PLACEMAKING A fantastic opportunity to join Shropshire Council at a pivotal time in an key role! Are you someone ready to turn plans into action? careers.shropshire.gov.uk/vacancy/serv...

A variety of images of Shropshire including the Shrewsbury Moves plan and Future Oswestry Plan

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

We knew it already; but #Shrewsbury has been named one of the happiest places to live in Britain by the Guardian 🥰

The Guardian’s happiest places to live in Britain revealed

Shrewsbury

Beautiful timber-framed Tudor buildings cluster the centre of this market town, encircled by a loop of the river Severn.
Shrewsbury sits on the doorstep of Wales as well as the rolling Shropshire hills, and you can get to Birmingham or Manchester by train in just over an hour.

Shrewsbury has been named as one of the country's top places to live in multiple polls, while its high street has been ranked as one of the best in Britain, with lots of thriving independent shops. It has some of the top schools in the West Midlands, low crime rates, plenty of food and drink choices and beautiful period architecture.
The town is perhaps best known for its indoor market, which was recently voted Britain's favourite for the third year running. With over 600 listed buildings, it has dozens of historic pubs, including The Nags Head which dates back to the 16th century and featured in the 1984 movie adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Look up and you'll notice lots of quirky details. Number 16 High Street (now a Costa Coffee) is a crooked Tudor building which in the 1990s was adorned with a carving of Margaret Thatcher and Michael Heseltine.
The 16th-century Old Market Hall has been beautifully restored and is now home to a cinema and cafe bar.

Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury's most famous son, was born here in 1809. The landscape helped inspire his love of the natural world
- in the town centre you will find the Bellstone, a granite boulder which was his first introduction to geology.
Where to go
For fine dining try The Walrus - featured in this year's Michelin guide. The Riverside Inn on the outskirts of town has beautiful water views, while Casa Naranjo, a family-run tapas bar, is popular with the locals.
What to do
At Theatre Severn, you'll find a constant stream of productions to see in the 650-seat auditorium.
Where to breathe
North of the town is Hawkstone Park, 100 acres of Grade I-listed landscape.
Where to buy
The average asking price for a semidetached is £293,244. Suburbs south of the river such as Belle Vue, Abbey Foregate and Meole Brace are considered some of the nicest areas to live.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Walk down a footpath on residential street, and it’s always the slabs on nearest the kerb that are more cracked and broken…

A footpath made of slabs. The slabs nearest the houses are mostly unbroken. The slabs near the road are mostly cracked.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

4. 3 days of activity in the Square, finishing off with a big wheel, and approx 400 wheels of all sizes riding Kidical Mass!

Shrewsbury town square with a ferris wheel and lots people on bicycles

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

3. A one day conference with discussed Health, Green Space, Good Design, Accessibility, Voice of Young People and the Pedestrian Pound.

Two young people and two adults on a panel talking about the importance of the youth voice on mobility and transport.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

#ShrewsburyMoves festival done. What a 4 days! @shrewsburybid.bsky.social Highlights, a 🧵 1. Getting to show Melissa @modacitylife.com around our lovely town

A man and a woman riding bicycles next to a river

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Great to attend launch event of #ShrewsburyMoves festival last night. Inspiring keynote speech by Melissa @modacitylife.com, excellently hosted by @peterwalker99.bsky.social, lively and informative panel chat and Q&A with @phil-pja.bsky.social @juliabuckley.bsky.social @jonburkeuk.bsky.social

Man (me) crouching next to a Shrewsbury Moves e-bike

Poster advertising the Shrewsbury Moves festival

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

8 weeks to go until the Polling Stations open in a pivotal election for Shropshire. Afterwards it will be a Lib Dem run council or *another* wasteful Conservative administration. Who will you vote for? #letsfixshropshire #56daystofixshropshire #shropshire

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

*FREE* #ActiveTravel #SustainableTravel #Movement #Towns Conference. Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/cc/shrewsbur...

• SHREWSBURY
• MOVES
Friday 21st March
Shrewsbury Business Suite, High St
The Health Benefits of Active Travel
10:00 - 11:00
Panel with Rhiannon Evans (ATE), Duncan Jones (Walking Advocate) and further panellists TBC
The Pedestrian Pound
11:00 - 12:00
Panel with Rachel Lee (Living Streets), Paul Carvell (Carvell on the Square), and further panellists TBC
Shrewsbury Placemaking and Design
Code
12:00 - 13:00
With John Myatt (PJA) and Mark Graham (LDA)
Accessibility: Designing Towns for All
13:30 - 14:30
Panel with Kay Inckle (Wheels for Wellbeing), Lauren James (MP Smarter Travel), and Tim Pritchard (STC)

→ SHREWSBURY MOVES
Greening Up: Making our urban spaces greener, healthier, and more resilient
14:30 - 15:30
Presented by Create Streets
Voices of the Future
15:30 - 16:30
Panel with Jeremy Tudor (Priory School / Active
Travel Advocate), Shropshire Youth Council, and Rhiannon Letman-Wade (active travel expert)
Closing Remarks
16:30 - 17:00
Seb Slater (Shrewsbury BID / Shrewsbury Big
Town Plan Partnership)
SECURE YOUR SPOT

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

After being ignored by the Council, messages to the Chief Exec, Leader and Portfolio Holder going unanswered, I took the state of Shelton Road to Full Council today. They have confirmed that it will be resurfaced early in new financial year. Still too long, but I hope this will put an end to it.

Proper repairs promised by Shropshire
Council early in the new financial year.

Question from Councillor Rob Wilson:

Shelton Road, in the vicinity of the busy pedestrian crossing, was repaired on the evening of Monday 13th January with an emergency road closure. A number of defects were not repaired, and the work that was carried out failed within a few days Since then, the road has deteriorated further making it dangerous for all road users.

Despite me trying to seek updates from officers in highways and the portfolio holder, none have been received. Residents are rightly frustrated that over a month ago repairs were deemed urgent, but now, with the road in a worse state, nothing is being done. Surely this section of road should now be fully resurfaced?

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Sometimes people ask why I advocate for greater investment in active travel. One massive reason is that I was lucky enough to go to Kesgrave High School. I experienced transport independence as a child. And I want that for my children, and others. #activetravel @chrisboardman.bsky.social

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Shropshire Council wants to spend over £200m on a 4 mile “relief” road that won’t relieve traffic.

Papers reveal £111.4m gap in budget to cover costs of relief road plan

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

I spotted this comedy gem last time I went that way.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Great to spot this in #Shrewsbury Library. 🥰 Highly recommended for all current (and potential future) #Shropshire Councillors @modacitylife.com

A copy of “Building the cycling city” by Melissa and Chris Bruntlett in Shrewsbury Library, U.K.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

I'm back from a restful break. If there's anything I can assist with email is normally best: rob.wilson@shropshire.gov.uk Less than 4 months until Shropshire's elections, it has been an honour to serve Copthorne, I will be standing again. #shrewsbury #toriesbrokeshropshire #letsfixshropshire

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year from Shropshire's Liberal Democrats
This is the year that we can end Conservative rule in
Shropshire - 4 months today!

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

I’m switching off for a Christmas break. If you need any help or assistance please direct your query to Shropshire Council/Shrewsbury Town Council. See you in the new year!

Shropshire Council 0345 6789000
Shrewsbury Town Council 01743 281010

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Hi @pixarpost.com 1. Pixar has never made a Christmas movie 🎄 2. Iceland has a mythology of 13 Yule Lads who arrive on the 13 days before Christmas and cause mischief 🇮🇸 Would love to see it! #pixar #christmasmovie #iceland #yulelads #Jólasveinar

Pixar movie poster with 13 Yule lads, dressed warmly in the snow with the northern lights in the sky

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

With Tory-run Shropshire Council on the verge of bankruptcy… (HT @brenttoderian.bsky.social)

While Mayor, I was often asked ‘how have you been able to afford this in #Copenhagen?’ I’d reply, ‘how have you been able to NOT afford it? 25 years ago we were a few days away from going bankrupt. So the city invested in the cheapest infrastructure… bicycling.”

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Really pleased to see the Shrewsbury Movement & Public Space strategy developed by team at PJA supported unanimously by all parties & none at Shropshire Council this morning. It will now be a material consideration in planning. @phil-pja.bsky.social @sebslater.bsky.social @helen-ball.bsky.social

Front cover of the Shrewsbury Movement and Public Space Strategy.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

That is appalling. The “cycling”layer of google maps is particularly explanatory of Shropshire Council’s attitude. 🥺

A map showing a cycle track around a roundabout which doesn’t connect to anywhere at all.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I found a good use for them today 👍

A bike locked to a fence made out of a series of bike stands.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I think that I found where all of the Sheffield stands are #activetravel

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

But bizarrely it has an (utterly terrible) segregated cycle/foot path all the way around it! 🤦🏻

A map of Battlefield roundabout in Shrewsbury showing a cycle track all the way around the outside not connected to any other cycle tracks.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Where does this rate on the “awful cycle infra” scale? #shrewsbury #activetravel

A cycle lane end next to a Tesco supermarket, and directs cyclists into an advanced stop line box at the head of three lanes of traffic feeding into a large traffic light controlled crossroads.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

A lesser-spotted #Shropshire Council street sweeper spotted in the wild on Bridge Street #Shrewsbury this morning. But seemingly not picked much up; yet other roads and almost every path in the town is covered in leaves and mulch 🍂. What’s going on!? 🤦🏻🤷🏻😡 #toriesbrokeshropshire #letsfixshropshire

A road sweeper driving in Shrewsbury town centre

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Do Dutch radio stations have to devote an entire section of their morning shows to traffic information for people cycling to work? (the actual clip was 2 minutes long, Bluesky only allows 60 seconds) @tomflood.bsky.social @annaholligan.bsky.social @modacitylife.bsky.social

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Former CEO of #Shropshire Business Chamber raised the issue faced by businesses who can’t fill apprenticeship vacancies. "In #rural communities we have a lot of businesses who are more than willing to take on young people, but they don't have cars, they can't afford cars." #cardependency

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Really looking forward to the first #Bluesky 🦋 #BikesAtPollingStations on 1st May 2025 😉🔶🚲🗳️ #Shropshire #Shrewsbury #ToriesBrokeShropshire #LetsFixShropshire PS #DogsAtPollingStations too, but I don’t have a dog 🦮

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

I had a few minutes, so did some rough sums. A stationary queue of 20 medium sized vehicles in 1970 was about 86m long. In 2010 this was a queue of ~50 medium sized vehicles, causing a queue of about 240m.

Graph show the increase in car class size between 1960 and 2010

A graph showing the increase in licensed vehicles in GB. 5 million in 1950, up to 40 million in 2021.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

This is the #Shropshire Star website right now. Lou Haigh is right, we have become numb to a problem right in front of our eyes.

Shropshire Star headlines

Another car hits a property in Shropshire
- following house, pub and church collisions
© News | 8 hours ago
Heavy traffic and delays after crash at
Shropshire border closes road
© News | 3 hours ago
Woman suffers potentially serious injuries' in Shropshire village crash
© Minsterley | 7 hours ago

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Today I challenged #Shropshire Council about the disconnect between policy and delivery - in this instance it was related to the design of new developments and flooding, but my comments could apply to many things…

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Fantastic to see #Shrewsbury win the Great Town category at the Academy of Urbanism Awards 2024. Growing national recognition for where Shrewsbury is, and where it’s going. @sebslater.bsky.social @phil-pja.bsky.social

The Great Town / Small City
2024
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Shrewsbury, the County town of Shropshire, owes much of its character to its history in
the wool trade and Industrial Revolution. The Town Council plays a proactive role in urban and economic planning, collaborating with Shropshire Council to achieve shared goals. A successful example is the repurposed 1960s indoor market, blending retail and services with no vacancies. A sustainable flood risk management strategy is in place, and the Shrewsbury Moves initiative aims to reduce car dependency, freeing space for town centre activities.
Other finalists in this category: Bath, Somerset and Lewes, Sussex

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Great to see #Shrewsbury feature in @livingstreets.bsky.social Pedestrian Pound Report 2024. The next step of the Movement and Public Space Strategy has been developed by @phil-pja.bsky.social Associates. @sebslater.bsky.social @chrisboardman.bsky.social

Taking the opportunity to trial pedestrianisation during the pandemic - building public support and an evidence base for permanent change
Council.

Further text from report (too much for alt text)

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Public transport continues to trail behind car travel, with journeys taking, on average, 1.5 times longer than by car. While 96% of new homes can reach a town centre within a 20-minute drive, only 66% have the same access using public transport and 47% within a 20-minute walk.

New housing developments remain car-dependent
Minimal improvement in access to essential services by walking, cycling, or public transport.
It is 1.5 times faster to reach key destinations from residential development by car rather than public transport, and 2 times faster to reach hospitals.
RTPI
The Location of Development 4, 2024

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

#Shrewsbury won the Academy of Urbanism Awards 2024 Great Town / Small City category. 👏 A great accolade and endorsement of the work of the Big Town Plan partnership. A testimont to the hard work of so many. 🙏 @phil-pja.bsky.social @sebslater.bsky.social @cllralexwagner.bsky.social

Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Shrewsbury is a successful town that blends older, sensitive, and
listed buildings with newer development. Good public transport links connect the town centre with nearby neighbourhoods, and a diverse high street, access to green space, and arts + cultural attractions give people a reason to come in. The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan has recently been launched by a public sector partnership and sets out the next 10 years of development in the town.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

Shrewsbury has developed holistic Movement Plan with @phil-pja.bsky.social team 🚶‍♀️🚲👩‍🦽 Cross-party support 🔵🔴🟠🟢 Public support 🙋🏻🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️ Blueprint for towns across the country Worth reading @chrisboardman.bsky.social @bricycle.bsky.social @mrdannyw.bsky.social static1.squarespace.com/static/6659c...

Front cover of “Shrewsbury Moves: A 10-year vision and plan”

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

I cycled in Oslo last winter in snow and ice (-10 from memory), couldn’t walk without falling over, but studded tyres made cycling super easy.

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

Shrewsbury has developed an holistic Movement Plan with @phil-pja.bsky.social team 🚶‍♀️🚲👩‍🦽 It has cross-party support 🔵🔴🟠🟢 It has public support 🙋🏻🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️ A blueprint for towns across the county 🇬🇧 Worth reading @bricycle.bsky.social @mrdannyw.bsky.social static1.squarespace.com/static/6659c...

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

There is however a Grandma statue in Ipswich. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...

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Cllr Rob Wilson 🔶 @robwilson.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

#Shropshire #Shrewsbury On the left, wide newly resurfaced road. On the right, narrowly never resurfaced rough cycle and foot way. (with hilariously dodgy bike symbol) #activetravel

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