Nearly £500,000 will be pumped into Ironbridge to boost regeneration and help local businesses, council chiefs announced today.

It could mean new signs and street furniture, a park and ride scheme and better public toilets in Shropshire’s top tourist attraction and World Heritage Site.

The investment is part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s £23 million borough towns initiative.

Ironbridge will get £250,000 from the council and another £225,000 from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.

The council has set up an Ironbridge Task Force to pinpoint where the money can be best used in the next year to help boost businesses and improve the environment in the town, particularly in areas that have not received investment before.

The potential wish-list includes:

• Creating a consistent look for signs and street furniture with a distinctive Ironbridge badge.
• Improving public toilets before the start of the summer tourist season.
• Designating clear areas for car and coach parking, such as directing coaches to use only the Dale End car park to free up extra spaces in the town for cars.
• Establishing a park and ride service with extra car parking available to support special events.
• Organising more events to attract visitors and support more active use of areas like the Square.