Historic mill wheel unearthed by Shropshire workers may be concreted over
Builders working in the cradle of the Industrial Revolution have uncovered the remains of an iron mill and its water system.
Most of the 150-year-old wheel, which was part of a forge in Coalbrookdale, has rusted away.
And now residents fear the remains of it could be removed or built over because the site, a former garage, is earmarked for housing.
Many residents have taken to Facebook to voice their concerns about the wheel being concreted over by the workmen on site.
One, Anthony Jackson, said that it is a real shame as it will be "deemed irrelevant and built upon" and others are saying that the wheel should be preserved and put in a museum.
According to a Facebook group, Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale pictures and past, there will be 10 houses built on the site opposite the Merrythought Teddy Bear Shop in Ironbridge.
The wheel would have been used to transport materials, and run the hammers when nails and pans were being made there in the 19th century.
Other similar sites in the area have dated back to the 17th century and there is one dam in Coalbrookdale that is still visible to the public. It is just at the top of Coalbrookdale, near the Museum of Iron. The area was at the heart of Britain's industrial revolution, driven by Abraham Darby who arrived in the area in 1708. He began a tradition of ironmaking which lasted for generations.
Ian Batty, industrial heritage support officer at the museum, said the discovery of the mill remains was an importance contribution to the heritage of the valley.
The site is owned by Morris Property, a development firm based in Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury. A statement from the company said: "The site is still being surveyed by archaeologists and Morris Property is awaiting the outcome of their findings."
