Repairs to heritage site complete

The history and geology of the area is to blame, the WHS says

The first phase of repair work to begin on a crumbling World Heritage Site (WHS) has been completed.

Up to £3m has been spent stabilising Ironbridge Gorge after a report in 2003 warned its future was under threat because of land movements.

A further £3m is to be spent on the second phase of work in the Lloyds Head area, Telford and Wrekin Council said.

Up to three-quarters of the Ironbridge area is unstable, studies show and £86m is needed, a spokesman said.

'Geology at fault'

A temporary road will be built in Lloyds Head so residents, visitors and traders can still have access to the Gorge and work will begin in October.

The council secured £3m in government funding for the first round of work and so far only has £1.5m for the second.

"We will continue to lobby government and work with partners to secure funding but the whole programme of work to stabilise Ironbridge will cost £86m," a council spokesman said.

The WHS report said Ironbridge has long been troubled by land instability, due mainly to its geology and the history of the area, but the extent of the problem is only now beginning to be uncovered.