A stretch of road in Shropshire’s World Heritage site is to be ripped up and replaced after it was battered by the severe winter weather.

Council bosses have earmarked The Lloyds between Ironbridge and Coalport for the work which will see the road closed for two weeks and diversions put in place.

Work will start on Monday and access will only be open to residents and emergency vehicles.

David Morgan, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “This essential work is required due to the deterioration of part of this road surface as a result of the severe weather conditions this winter.

“As the road width is not adequate to maintain traffic flows, the work will be done while a full road closure is in place for safety reasons.”

The diversions will use Coalport Road, Legges Way, Parkway, Ironbridge Road, Madeley Road and Waterloo Road.

He added: “It is important we keep any disruption to an absolute minimum and traffic diversions will be in place and clearly signed.

“Contractors Telford & Wrekin Services will be sending a leaflet to all properties affected by the works, providing contact phone numbers and they will also deal with any special access requirements residents may have.

“These essential works will help improve the carriageway infrastructure in this part of the Gorge and will benefit both residents and visitors alike.”

The work comes after council bosses revealed pothole-busters have filled in more than 10,000 craters in Telford’s roads in eight weeks.

In the first two weeks after a special pothole-busters hotline was launched calls to the council soared by 300 per cent and almost 1,500 reports made.