Jiggers Bank repair plan gets go-ahead
The reopening of a major route into Ironbridge Gorge following two landslides will be crucial to the fortunes of traders during the busy tourist season, it has been claimed.
Councillors have hailed plans to carry out repairs on Jiggers Bank, which has been closed for four months following the landslide during spells of heavy rain.
It is hoped the road will reopen in June.
Members of Telford & Wrekin Council's plans board last night approved a plan of work to stabilise the rockface alongside the road, which is one of three major routes into the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge.
The cost of the work has yet to be determined.
Because of the scale of work needed, planning permission was needed.
The landslides caused rock and rubble to be strewn across the road. No-one was injured.
Councillor Alan McKenzie, member for Cuckoo Oak, said while it was unlikely that the work would permanently solve the problem, it would resolve the issues for the moment.
"This is only a temporary fix and there's nothing we can do about it," he said. "The rock is always going to move, but this is the best we can do for now."
Russell Griffin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "Since the closure, engineers have carried out emergency safety works, topographical surveys, ecological surveys and ground investigation works to provide information for a design to stabilise the rockface. The design stage is now complete and reflected the findings from a trial excavation on the rockface. The site includes land in different ownerships and the owners are in discussion on delivery of the scheme.
"The works are planned to be completed to allow the road to reopen in June 2013.
"Every effort is being made to reduce the length of the closure."
