Government cash for Ironbridge gorge stabilisation scheme

The Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed in an letter to the council that it will make a multi-million pound contribution.

The stabilisation work will be concentrated in Jackfield, between Jackfield Tile Museum and the Boat Inn, an area which has suffered significant landslides.

The proposals look to stabilise the most active part of the area to allow a new road to be constructed. The Jackfield Stabilisation Project has now reached the stage where the detailed design has been prepared and a planning application approved.

A preferred contractor has also been secured for the main works.

Telford & Wrekin Council will provide match-funding to the money provided by DCLG for the project which will run until March 2016. No specific figure has been given for today's release of funds. The Government has previously vowed to invest £12 million in the £80 million scheme.

Councillor David Davies, ward member for Ironbridge Gorge, said: "I'm really pleased that we have managed to secure this significant amount of funding from the DCLG.

"Instability is a fact in the gorge and these works are essential to help prevent landslides and maintain the structure of the gorge both in the short and the long term."

The council is working with landowners to secure the necessary consents to allow the work to proceed. The Shropshire Star revealed yesterday that a number of landowners were still to sign legal agreements,

Work is due to start on site in early 2014 with condition surveys, tree felling, creation of access routes into the site, installation of additional monitoring gas and groundwater monitoring wells, the treatment of shallow mine workings, and the investigation and treatment of mineshafts.

A public drop in session will be held in January to provide an update on the work and to explain it in more detail.