Big clear up in Ironbridge as flooding recedes
The big clear-up was under way in the Ironbridge Gorge today as the floods finally started to recede.
Barriers on the Wharfage in Ironbridge were being removed today and the road should be fully re-opened by this evening – for the first time in almost two weeks.
After a couple of drier days and a better weather forecast for the rest of the week, the Environment Agency has also been able to lift all the flood warnings on the River Severn throughout the county.
Across the Midlands, just 19 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts remained in place.
The barriers have been up since February 7 to protect homes and businesses in the World Heritage Site from the huge volume of water that has fallen during the stormiest start to the year on record.
Businesses in the town have continued trading while the barriers were in place but some have experienced a drop in trade as visitors have been unable to walk the length of the main street.
The Environment Agency has removed the flood warnings for the River Severn throughout Shropshire as the water recedes, but a general flood alert is still in place for Crew Green and Montford in the west of the county, Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury, Buildwas and Bridgnorth.
Car parks have been reopened in Shrewsbury and a deep clean and sweep of Frankwell Main car park was taking place this morning ahead of it reopening later today. Frankwell riverside car park is expected to stay shut for now.
At the height of the flood, residents living on the Wharfage and nearby parts of the gorge were recommended to move upstairs or leave their homes.
Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge Primary School was closed for two days after the waters closed Dale Road, and the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust closed its sites at Dale End and Coalport.
The Wharfage was also effectively closed to pedestrians, with only those wearing lifejackets and safety gear allowed behind the barriers under the supervision of the Environment Agency.
