Stopping Shrophire’s beautiful Irongbridge George from slipping into the River Severn is at the heart of a joint initiative to source and secure vital European funding.
Local MEP, Philip Bradbourn, met with Tom Biggins, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Telford, this week to assess the enormity of land instability within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, and to discuss a funding gap of in excess of £80 million needed to address the problem.
Key factors affecting land instability - in particular the Lloyds Phase 1 and 2 and Lloyds Head sites - are the geological structure and on-going formation of the Gorge, the damage caused by past mining and the frequency and extent of flooding.
The Government has committed a total of £6 million to date: £2 million for Phase 1 stabilisation works, which was completed before Christmas, and approximately £4 million for Phase 2 and Lloyd’s Head stabilisation works, due to be completed by the end of the year. Telford and Wrekin Council have match funded the projects to the tune of £4.5 million.
Speaking in Brussels today, Mr Bradbourn said:
“This clearly isn’t enough. There are still a number of ‘hotspots’ where the potential for land slippage is significant. Consequently, there is now a funding need of in excess of £80 million to address them.
“Obviously, Telford and Wrekin cannot be expected to foot the bill and, since ongoing discussions with Government departments have come to nothing, it’s now time to look towards the EU for potential funding.”
Tom Biggins, who led the Gorge site visit, was able to demonstrate the scale of the land slippage, including the remnants of recent damage.
Tom pointed out: “The Gorge, which has only recently celebrated its 21st birthday as a World Heritage Site, is facing some serious challenges. If it is to continue to attract visitors and deliver a memorable tourist experience - which in turn supports a number of local businesses and organisations in Ironbridge and further afield - extra funding will be critical.
“I was very pleased to provide Philip with first-hand knowledge of the site and the remaining problems. It will enable him to give a clear picture to the EU Commission of the scale of the damage we are talking about.
“I will be working alongside Philip and the Council to put our case to the EU Commission and hopefully secure considerable, but key funding to help protect and preserve this famous and beautiful site.”
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For more information please contact:
Alastair Little in Brussels on 00 322 284 7407 or Sean Kelly in the UK on 01676 530 621.
Tom Biggins, Parliamentary Spokesman for Telford, on 07926 187110
