More needs to be done to finalise the £20 million funding needed to help stabilise the Ironbridge Gorge, it was claimed today.

Councillor Andrew Eade, former leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, has expressed his ‘deep concern’ over funding for the next phase of the work.

He claims that despite the Government offering to fund 60 per cent of the bill there has been little progress in finding the other 40 per cent.

However Councillor Richard Overton, cabinet member with responsibility for stabilisation in the Gorge, dismissed the claims.

He said the council was working hard with the Government and other agencies to find a ‘workable solution’.

He said: “It is simply untrue to say nothing has been happening over the last few months because the council has been working hard to try to persuade the Government that the World Heritage Site in Ironbridge – as well as the safety of people who live there – is of national and international significance.”

Councillor Eade claimed that while £15 million had been spent on stage one of the work to prevent the Gorge from collapse at The LLoyds ‘no more work has been done’.

He said a motion calling on the council to conclude funding arrangements will be put to Thursday’s full council meeting by Councillor Clive Mollett.

Councillor Eade said “We allocated several million pounds to complete stage one of the gorge’s stabilisation.

“We are somewhat stunned and aghast to learn that no further progress has been made over the past nine months to either put the funding in place or make any provision in the council’s budget whatsoever to get on with this desperately needed work.”

But Councillor Overton added: “At a time when the Government is imposing £40 million of cuts in Telford we are working hard with Government and other agencies to find a workable solution to protect one of the world’s most iconic areas.”