£18 million project to protect Ironbridge Gorge progessing
This superb panoramic picture shows work is progressing well on a near £18 million scheme which aims to protect a stretch of The Ironbridge Gorge from future landslips.
The Ironbridge Gorge is known for its land instability, caused by the geology of area, its closeness to the river and its industrial history which has left mine shafts under some of the land.
Jackfield is known as being one of the most unstable areas of the Gorge – and council bosses hope the ongoing multi-million pound plan will help keep the area more secure.
The overall work will cost a total of £17.6 million, with contributions made by the Government's Department for Communities and Local Government which has been part matched by Telford & Wrekin Council.
It is hoped it will be completed by the end of March 2016.
Initial work on the project began in May, with hundreds of trees felled alongside the most active area of land to make way for the main works.
McPhillips has also been treating mine workings under ground in the area, and using piling to create reinforcements under the land.
Work has also been done on river bank protection to prevent further erosion and drainage of water from the land to prevent anything which may cause land movement once the piling has been completed.
Several mineshafts are known to be on the site.
