New landslide forces road closure

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Debris fell across both lanes of the road

There has been another landslide in an area where major engineering work was carried out last summer in Shropshire.

It is the fourth time there has been a rock fall at Harley Bank since the A458 was closed there for five weeks for the work in June and July 2008.

The road will remain closed on Friday and reopen sometime over the weekend.

Initial indications suggest the incident, involving an estimated 80 to 100 tonnes, was not linked to work last year, Shropshire Council said.

'Significant costs'

Phil Crossland, assistant director of highways at the council, said: "My understanding is it's towards the top, near the sort of disused quarry site where it was where it slipped last time.

"[That's] further up the hill from all the work we did last year."

The council said it was "lucky" the latest incident happened in the early hours.

Last September rocks blocked the carriageway and in February more work was done after rock fell in two separate incidents.

Sixteen thousand tonnes of unstable rock were removed and the road was widened and resurfaced during the work last summer near Much Wenlock.

Mr Crossland added: "Clearly there are significant costs in clearing the current landslip."

The council said it was unable to say when the road would reopen but it would be sometime over the weekend.

"Shropshire Council is continuing to investigate the cause of the landslide, and is assessing what if any works will be required," a statement said.

The A458 is the main Bridgnorth to Shrewsbury road. Diversions are in place.