Ironbridge Stabilisation Project drop in session to be held

The Drop In Session will take place on Tuesday 13 May 2014 at Jackfield Village Hall between 4pm – 8pm and will provide give an update on the project which includes work to reopen the Ironbridge Road closed by land instability late last year.

There will be a formal presentation from the project team at 6.30pm followed by a Question & Answer session which will finish at 8pm.

Local firm, McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd have been appointed as the Principal Contractor for the main stabilisation contract and works are now underway.

The proposed scheme, targeting the area in the Ironbridge Gorge most at risk of land instability, aims to stabilise the most “active” area of ground to allow a new highway to be constructed on the stabilised ground. This will run between the end of the Tile Museum and a point near Maws Craft Centre to replace the existing wooden road.

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

Overall it will be the largest land instability scheme undertaken in the Gorge and follows on from earlier schemes in the Lloyds area of Jackfield.

The project team and McPhillips will look to address any queries and concerns residents might have regarding the projects.

Councillor Richard Overton, cabinet member with responsibility for land stabilisation in the Ironbridge Gorge, said: “The stabilisation works are now underway in the Gorge and we hope that all those in the local area will be able to come along to the meeting to find out more about these works.

“We’re also keen to reassure local residents that we expect the Ironbridge Road to reopen in the coming weeks, rather than years, as has been reported.

“The project team will be on hand to answer any concerns from local people and it is a great opportunity to meet the team behind the work.”