Newsroom Archive

At the end of 2017, Telford & Wrekin Council awarded £30k Pride in Our community funding to repair and improve the steps and pathways that lead down from the high street and along the river past the iconic coracle shed, which is the last remaining coracle shed in England.
 
The pathway improvements are part of a wider conservation project to preserve the industrial heritage of Ironbridge.  An earlier grant from the Council and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund have secured the future of the coracle shed for generations to come.
 
Councillor Rae Evans, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member with responsibility for tourism, said: “This is an exciting time for this most wonderful town.  The Ironbridge Coracle Trust is currently working up plans for the conservation on the shed, and it is good to see the work on the paths being started.  We will continue to work with the trust, town council and other groups to do all we can to protect and celebrate all that Ironbridge has to offer.”

Jude Walker, Secretary of the Ironbridge Coracle Trust, said: “We are delighted that Telford & Wrekin Council are investing in the footpath leading to the Coracle Shed. Part of our long term plan is bring the story of coracle making in Ironbridge to life. We plan to do this not only by ensuring the long term preservation of the Coracle Shed but also by creating interpretation trails along the Severn. This will allow local people and visitors to learn and discover the fascinating story and rich heritage of coracle making and river life in the Ironbridge Gorge. The footpaths improvements will go a long way to improving access to this part of the Ironbridge Gorge.”

Work on the steps and paths is due to start on 16 April and is expected to be completed by the end of May.