Enterprise project part of £4m plans

Members of Telford & Wrekin Council are tonight set to give the go-ahead to a £4 million spending bonanza for a raft of projects in the Ironbridge Gorge and Telford.The massive cash boost from the European Union will see more than £500,000 ploughed into creating a showpiece Enterprise HQ within the global birthplace of industry ,which aims to be a "world class venue".

Members of Telford & Wrekin Council's ruling cabinet will meet tonight to discuss projects set to benefit from the cash from the European Region Development Fund.

A report sent to councillors ahead of the meeting said the Enterprise HQ will be a "world class venue bringing together 21st century businesses".

The council is also set to re-instate a popular footpath by Chapel Road in the Gorge, which is used by residents walking into Ironbridge, under a £96,500 scheme.

The Gorge Connect bus service is also likely to benefit, with £60,000 earmarked to maintain the service in areas including Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge, Madeley and Telford Town Centre bus station.

Signage for cyclists and pedestrians will be boosted under a £150,000 project.

The report for councillors says: "This project will deliver comprehensive improvements to the cyclist and walking environment in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site, in order to improve sustainable access to the Ironbridge museum sites, the Iron Bridge itself, Maws Craft Centre, pubs and hotels and other attractions."

A £70,800 refurbishment is also on the cards for the Green Wood Centre in Coalbrookdale, which attracts 10,000 visitors a year to learn about woodland management and sustainable building and technologies.

About £1.2million is earmarked for an extension to Telford's new railfreight terminal project, which is being constructed in Donnington.

Up to £400,000 is set to be spent on buying the west stand at AFC Telford's New Bucks Head ground, which includes a restaurant.

By Lizzie Yates