Shop owners can see end to work at Ironbridge Gorge

The Maws Craft Centre in Jackfield, which is home to dozens of independent businesses, now has a temporary road, which is bringing customers back to the little venue.

The scheme aims to stabilise the most active area of ground to allow a new highway to be built, which will run between the end of Jackfield Tile Museum and near the Maws to replace an existing road.

Contractors started the £17.6m Jackfield Stabilisation Project earlier this year.

Sandra Higson, of Janet & Sandra's Craft Shop, based at the craft centre, said it had been a struggle over the past year but she was hopefully things would start picking up again in the new year.

She said: "We've had our ups and downs this year but the most important thing has been our temporary road. We 're having all sorts of problems but access is much better now.

"After Christmas another new temporary road will probably be installed.

"The difficulty we had was letting people know were still open because some didn't want to travel too far because the access was so bad.

"We hope people will begin to return again next year.

"We knew it would have to get worse before it got better but it will look wonderful once it's all finished. The landscaping work will include new walkways and trees are going to be planted, which will blend into the area."

Hundreds of trees were felled to make way for the main works, which will include earthworks, the treatment of mine workings, piling, river bank protection, drainage, highway work and landscaping.

The overall cost included contributions made by the Government's Department for Communities and Local Government, which was part matched by Telford & Wrekin Council and is set to be completed by March 31, 2016.

Work has concentrated on land between Jackfield Tile Museum and the Boat Inn which has suffered significant landslides in the past.

Council engineers are continuing to monitor ground movement on site as well as water levels, ground gas levels and groundwater quality which will continue throughout the project.

Mrs Higson said the centre had continued to host events while all the work was being carried out.

A carol concert and winter market helped to raise £106, which will be donated to Hope House Children's Hospices.

"The carol concert was a one-off event and we did get good support despite it being very cold on the day," said Mrs Higson.

"The Telford & Wrekin community choir came and sang for us and children from the Lianne Dance School, which shares the same site as us, also performed.

"It was lovely to hear music in the courtyard because it has such good acoustics."