Temporary road for slipping gorge

Land slippage continues to affect the Ironbridge Gorge

Work has begun to reconnect two parts of Shropshire's Ironbridge Gorge which traders hope will improve business.

Telford and Wrekin Council is building a temporary road in the Lloyds Head area of Jackfield.

It has been closed to traffic for seven months because of land slippage, which is also affecting other parts of the World Heritage site.

The road is expected to cost the council £50,000 and should be open by early November.

It's been like living at the end of a close, at a dead end Pub landlady Theresa Green

Up to £3m has already been spent stabilising the Ironbridge Gorge after a report in 2003 warned it 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 have previously said.

A council spokesman said it was continuing to press the government for funding to carry out long-term stabilisation work in this and other parts of the gorge.

The temporary road in Lloyds Head will enable residents, visitors and traders to have access to the gorge. Scheduled bus services to Jackfield will also restart next month.

Landlady of the Black Swan Theresa Green said: "It's been like living at the end of a close, at a dead end."