Major maintenance works due to start on Jigger’s Bank, Coalbrookdale resulting in road closure.
Major work is set to start in August to repair a retaining wall, which supports a major access route into the Ironbridge World Heritage Site.
Jigger’s Bank in Coalbrookdale is one of the main routes into Ironbridge Gorge and due to the nature of its underlying geology, the area has been prone to movement and landslips.
Geological factors and other constraints have made this a complex project and Telford & Wrekin Council’s engineering team have worked with partners to develop a solution for long-term stability.
The scope of work will include the removal of sections of the existing wall, installation of rock anchors to support the underlying sandstone structure, with areas rebuilt and all open joints re-pointed or pressure grouted. There are also several brick arches at the base of the wall which will also be stabilised and repaired.
Councillor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for place (the economy & neighbourhood services) said: “Jigger’s Bank is an historical route into the gorge – originally constructed as a single lane tramway in the 1700s and then widened in the 1800s.
“We inherited a road with a long history of slippage and choosing this option limits the impact on other areas, provides the best access in times of emergency such as flooding which the area is regularly subjected to and means this key route is maintained into the future.
“It’s taken a team of engineers time to analyse the options and find the right solution. We also have to ensure we have the finances to deliver the scheme as we receive no support from Government for projects of this nature.”
The work is due to commence on Monday, August 14 with a full road closure needed for the duration of the project, currently planned to run until early Spring.
The park and ride will still be operational, but diversions will be in place while the work is carried out.
