Bypass closed by fire

On Wednesday 23rd March the A53, Hodnet bypass, was closed after a lorry carrying around 11 tonnes of straw caught fire.
Just before 11am the lorry, which was traveling towards Market Drayton, stopped a few yards past Espley.
The Shropshire Fire Service attended the scene with crews from Hodnet and Market Drayton, along with a water carrier from Bridgnorth.  An Incident Command Unit from Shrewsbury was also deployed. Two sets of breathing apparatus had to be used as fire-fighters tackled the blaze.
Much of the lorry’s blazing load was dropped onto the grass embankment on the north side of the A53. This left a very noticeable scorch mark and may have damaged some of the young trees.
Police closed the road until around 8:30pm setting up local diversions – which no doubt brought back memories of pre-bypass days for many residents of Hodnet and Wollerton!
Shropshire Star: Lorry fire causes traffic misery in Hodnet – don’t miss the additional pictures in the gallery.
Flickr: Lorry Fire
Read about the building of the Hodnet & Wollerton bypass in our Local History section here.

Lorry fire causes traffic misery in Hodnet