Council secures funding for further Gorge stabilisation work

The Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed in an offer letter to the Council that it will make a multi-million pound contribution to the project in Jackfield.

The stabilisation will be concentrated in Jackfield, between Jackfield Tile Museum and the Boat Inn, an area which has suffered significant landslides in the past.

The proposed scheme looks to stabilise the most active part of the local landslide system to allow a new highway to be constructed on the stabilised ground.

The scheme will comprise earthworks, treatment of mine workings, piling, river bank protection, drainage improvements, highway construction and landscaping.

Telford and Wrekin Council will provide match funding to the monies provided by DCLG for a project which will run until March 2016.

Councillor David Davies, ward member for Ironbridge Gorge with responsibility for stabilisation in the Gorge, said: “I’m really pleased that we have managed to secure this significant amount of funding from the DCLG.

“Instability is a fact in the Gorge and these works are essential to help prevent landslides and maintain the structure of the Gorge both in the short and the long term.

“We are grateful for the cooperation of the project stakeholders who we meet with regularly and look forward to getting these works underway and making the area better for all who use it.”

Work is due to start on site in early 2014 with the Enabling Works Contractor undertaking condition surveys, tree felling, creation of access routes into the site, installation of additional monitoring gas and groundwater monitoring wells, the treatment of shallow mine workings, and the investigation and treatment of mineshafts. The main phase of the project is due to start on site in spring 2014.

A public drop in session will be held in January to provide a project update and to explain delivery of the project in more detail.