Jackfield stabilisation work progressing well
Telford & Wrekin Council is continuing with its work to stabilise the Jackfield landslide as part of an ongoing strategy to manage land instability in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.
The project has a budget of £17.6m with a council has contributed £5.6m. The work is well under way and approximately 75 per cent of the 2000 piles needed to stabilise the hillside have been installed.
This has allowed the contractor to move the temporary road crossing the site on to a stabilised area.
The road continues to link the community of Jackfield and gives access to two pubs and a craft centre in addition to a number of residential properties.
The complex project is being delivered in Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire and on land in many different ownerships.
With this in mind, consultation took place ahead of the scheme and information has been shared at eight drop in sessions.
In addition, an open day has been held to afford access to site to see work in progress, the event was attended by over 80 people and the press.
In order to ensure information is shared regularly the council has formed a stakeholder group which meets monthly.
It includes representatives from the residents, Ironbridge Gorge Parish Council, Broseley Town Council, Shropshire Council, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Severn Gorge Countryside trust, local businesses, land owners and Telford & Wrekin Councils project delivery and planning teams.
This is supplemented with a monthly newsletter delivered to each address in the locality and with regular updates on the Councils web page.
The issue of land instability is also addressed in an information pack delivered to addresses across the Gorge.
Councillor Richard Overton, cabinet lead for issues relating to the Ironbridge Gorge, said: “Every effort is being made to keep all interested parties informed and to ensure access through the site is maintained.
“The access road currently in use is now on stable ground and will remain in use for some time until the final road can be brought into use.
“Work will continue until 2016 when a fully landscaped solution will be completed and the site returned to open space and agriculture. I
“In the interim the Council will continue to work to minimise disruption and to disseminate information using a broad range of methods which will include further drop in sessions.”
