Transport planning in Shropshire.
Shropshire’s highway design guidance includes SMART for adoptable road submissions. Telford and Wrekin is a separate authority, so the county name alone does not establish the applicable technical process.
Keep the planning access and adoption submission connected
The Shropshire Manual for Adoptable Roads and Transport, known as SMART, supports Section 38 and Section 278 design submissions. The council’s design guidance also signposts active travel and sustainable development. An access accepted in principle at planning stage still needs the appropriate technical work before construction.
For a rural or edge of settlement site, examine whether improvements can be delivered within controlled land and the public highway. A visibility line or footway connection should be supported by a clear understanding of boundary and level constraints.
Allow for the intended operational vehicles and the construction phase. A permanent residential access and a temporary route for heavy deliveries can pose different questions and may need different drawings or management measures.
What to establish before you commission
- Confirm Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin responsibility.
- Check the planning concept against the technical approval route early.
- Identify visibility land, highway boundary and the delivery route before committing to the layout.
Guidance reviewed 18 October 2026. Sources: Shropshire highway design guidance and SMART · Shropshire developing highways service. Requirements can change; confirm the current documents for the site and application.
For an early budget, our Transport Statement cost guide explains the main fee drivers and the information needed for a quote.
Planning and highway responsibilities
Shropshire Council and the separate Telford and Wrekin unitary area.
Local highway authorities within this guide: Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council.
The council deciding the planning application, the authority responsible for a road and the owner of land needed for an improvement can be different. Establish all three. National Highways involvement depends on effects on the strategic road network; a county address alone does not determine the consultation scope.
Choose the work that answers the planning issue
Send the location plan, proposed use and scale, latest layout and any highway response. We will identify the work needed and quote for an agreed scope. Survey costs, officer discussions, drawings and revisions should be clear at the outset.
Find advice for your location
Shropshire Council and the separate Telford and Wrekin unitary area.
The places below share this area guide. Open a location for its council and transport reference information.
Albrighton
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Shropshire Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Shropshire Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Cosford Rail Station, Albrighton Rail Station, Codsall Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Bayston Hill
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Shropshire Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Shropshire Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Shrewsbury Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Broseley
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Telford Central Rail Station, Oakengates Rail Station, Shifnal Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Ludlow
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Shropshire Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Shropshire Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Ludlow Rail Station, Craven Arms Rail Station, Broome Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Market Drayton
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Shropshire Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Shropshire Council, Staffordshire County Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Prees Rail Station, Whitchurch (Shrops) Rail Station, Wrenbury Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Newport (Telford and Wrekin)
Planning area at the location reference point: Telford and Wrekin. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Telford & Wrekin Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Telford & Wrekin Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Oakengates Rail Station, Telford Central Rail Station, Shifnal Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Shifnal
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Shropshire Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Shropshire Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Shifnal Rail Station, Telford Central Rail Station, Cosford Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Wem
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Shropshire Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Shropshire Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Wem Rail Station, Prees Rail Station, Yorton Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Whitchurch (Shropshire)
Planning area at the location reference point: Shropshire. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Shropshire Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Shropshire Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Whitchurch (Shrops) Rail Station, Prees Rail Station, Wrenbury Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Start with the site
Tell us what you are planning and where. We will set out the transport work needed and the next steps.