Temporary access to Jackfield opened as part of stabilisation project

The work to stabilise the south bank of the river is well under way and as a result it has been possible to move traffic on to a part of the stabilised slope before the Christmas and New Year break.

Work will continue after Christmas to install a further 1,000 steel reinforced concrete piles and the remainder of the stabilisation and drainage measures necessary to complete the project.

The temporary road, which is higher up the bank than the previous access, will stay in place until autumn 2015 while the original road is upgraded to provide a proper permanent access to Jackfield.

The new temporary road will give good access to the community of Jackfield and the public is encouraged to visit the area and view the works in progress from the safety of the road.

Councillor Richard Overton, cabinet lead for land stabilisation, said: “I would like to thank all the residents and businesses affected by this major land stabilisation scheme for their help, support and patience during the works.

“This is essential work to secure the future of the community of Jackfield and I realise that it has meant significant disruption to people’s lives but the long term benefits of stabilizing the land are obvious.

“I would also like to wish all the residents and businesses affected a very merry Christmas. I am pleased that we have managed to get the temporary road open before the festive break – this is a key moment in the scheme.”

The £17.6m will continue until April 2016 and is part funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Works are being carried out by local contractor McPhillips.

The piles that are being inserted into the land will act a little bit like nails. They have been fitted with digital monitoring equipment so engineers can anticipate any future land movement, although the scheme has been designed to stop the movement of the land for the next 100 years.