Work to monitor land stability in the Gorge is continually ongoing as landslips in the area are nothing new and have been happening for hundreds of years.

Following periods of heavy rain and flooding similar to that seen over the last few years the council continues to assess land stability through ground investigation and monitoring.

Investigation and monitoring work continues to inform understanding of the geotechnical challenges across the Gorge and any works that may be needed.

Telford & Wrekin Council has delivered stability projects totalling more than £33 million. 

The Jackfield area of the Gorge has a history of instability issues and was the focus of a major stability scheme undertaken in 2016 where historic mining voids were identified and filled along with steel and concrete piles to reduce riverbank erosion

Working in partnership to put a plan in place

Whilst monitoring and stabilisation work is undertaken, plans must be in place for any sudden movements. Over hundreds of years, the Gorge area has experienced landslips which can be confined to a local area or cover wider areas and cause disruption.

Landslips are rare and continued monitoring and stabilisation minimise the risk but it is important that, together with several partner agencies, we work together to identify locations where land instability may cause future ground movement. With this in mind, partners have developed an emergency plan which would be used to respond to an incident.

This plan has been written in partnership with emergency services, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, the Environment Agency, voluntary sector and utility companies. 

Notwithstanding all of the work taken place to date, large areas of the Gorge are still at risk of movement and are subject to regular and on-going monitoring.

What can you do? 

If you notice any of the following listed issues, please report it to highways@telford.gov.uk and if possible to include a picture and the location using WhatThreeWords. To find out your What Three Words Location visit the WhatThreeWords webiste.

All reports received will be investigated as part of our ongoing monitoring of The Gorge.

What to look out for….

  • cracks in paths or pavements
  • distortion of surfaces
  • cracked, bowed door leaning walls
  • garden movement trees or soil sliding
  • severely leaning trees
  • disruption to utilities.

Structural changes to your property or land

It is important to make sure that any changes to any building land or property within the Ironbridge Gorge does not adversely affect the stability of the area and is not itself vulnerable to the presence of unstable land. Please see Telford & Wrekin Council's Planning Website for up-to-date information.

Last updated : 1 April 2025

Should it be identifed that there is a high risk of a landslip occuring, you may be asked to leave your property. 

If you are asked to leave your premises, please do so immediately – it is for your own safety

Preparing for an evacuation

If you think you would require assistance evacuating should you be asked to do so, then please complete this form.

All information will remain confidential and only be used in an emergency.

For your own safety please do not panic

If you need to evacuate your home you should consider taking the following items with you where possible in a small holdall.

  • Key documents such as passport, driving license your personal emergency contacts list, insurance details and pet vaccination certificate
  • All medication needed
  • Mobile Phone/charger
  • Any special items for babies, children elderly and disabled
  • Spare set of keys (Home, car, office)
  • Bank cards/cash
  • Change of clothes and sensible footwear

Download the leaflet ‘Plan for the Unexpected’ from our website with details on how you and your family can prepare for emergencies (.pdf Size: 4310Kb) .

Pets

All pets will need to be evacuated with owners. Download a copy of ‘Plan for your animals’.

This leaflet will give you advice about planning for your animals in the event of an emergency

Emergency Accommodation

It may be unsafe for you to return to your property for a period of time. The Council would urge residents to seek lodging with family and friends, outside of the Ironbridge Gorge. If you have nowhere to safely go, the local authority will provide a reception centre for temporary accommodation. You are advised to discuss such arrangements with family and friends in advance of any situation as part of your own personal emergency response.

Short term arrangements:

The reception centre will provide a warm, dry setting where immediate welfare needs can be met, ensuring you and your family are accounted for and that you have access to appropriate support e.g. medication.

Long Term Arrangements:

Costs for emergency accommodation will not be covered by the Council however, this may be covered by your home insurance and you should check your policy carefully for details.

If your home insurance does not cover emergency accommodation, then you may require support from the council in co-operation with local housing providers to re-house you. In such a case, you should contact the Council’s Homeless – Temporary Accommodation Service as soon as possible, when flooding has occurred on 01952 381925.

View information about homelessness.

Last updated : 1 April 2025

In January 2005 our geotechnical consultants, High Point Rendel, produced the following report:

Ironbridge Gorge ground behaviour study appendices:

Download the interpretative report which looks at the ground investigations carried out at the Jackfield and the Lloyds areas of Ironbridge (.pdf Size: 821Kb) . Which was also produced at the same time.

In December 2008 our geotechnical consultants Jacobs undertook a geomorphological mapping exercise of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site (WHS) to cover the remaining areas of the WHS not covered by the High Point Rendel report. Download the geomorphological mapping exercise for general information and and guidance on ground stability conditions throughout the Gorge (.pdf Size: 211Kb) .

Ironbridge Gorge geomorphological mapping report drawings:

Ironbridge Gorge geomorphological mapping report appendices:

Last updated : 10 August 2026

Engineering Services team

Telephone: 01952 384000
Email: highways@telford.gov.uk

This table shows the contact details of different departments in the Council.

Organisation

Department

Number

Telford & Wrekin Council

Switchboard

01952 380000

Planning

01952 380380

Highways In Hours

01952 384000

Highways Out of Hours Emergency

01706 393187

West Mercia Police

 Emergency

999

Non-emergency

101

Shropshire Council

Switchboard

0345 678 9000

Mining Remediation Authority

Switchboard

0345 762 6848

Subsidence

0345 762 6848

Emergency

0800 288 4242

EA Floodline

 

0345 988 1188

Severn Trent

 

0345 7500 500

Madeley Town Council

 

01952 567280

The Gorge Parish Council

 

01952 883192

Citizens Advice

 

0800 144 8848

Last updated : 5 August 2025

The Lloyds Landslide Stabilisation Project

The Department for Transport (DfT) Structures Fund supports local highway authorities in maintaining, strengthening and renewing significant infrastructure that is critical to local communities and transport networks.

Telford & Wrekin Council has applied to the DfT Structures Fund for support to deliver the Lloyds Landslide Stabilisation Project within the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About the project

The Lloyds is an important route connecting communities, businesses and visitor destinations within the Ironbridge Gorge.

The area forms part of a complex landscape that has been subject to ongoing monitoring and management for many years. The Council and its partners have developed a long-term proposal to improve resilience, maintain reliable access and support the future of the Gorge.

The project builds on the successful Jackfield Stabilisation Project, delivered in 2014, which used specialist engineering techniques to improve long-term stability and protect infrastructure within another part of the Gorge.

Why investment is needed

Telford & Wrekin Council has monitored land stability within the Gorge for many years and continues to invest in maintenance, inspections and monitoring programmes.

The Lloyds has been identified as a priority location for long-term investment due to ongoing ground movement affecting sections of highway infrastructure and retaining structures.

Without a long-term solution, the Council expects maintenance requirements and operational disruptions to increase over time.

Investment would help:

  • Improve the resilience of a key route through the Gorge.
  • Reduce future maintenance requirements.
  • Support continued access for residents, businesses and visitors.
  • Protect important infrastructure.
  • Support climate adaptation and long-term sustainability objectives.

Proposed solution

The proposed scheme would deliver a programme of infrastructure and land stability improvements, including:

  • Reconstruction and replacement of retaining structures.
  • Repairs to highway infrastructure affected by ground movement.
  • Drainage improvements.
  • Earthworks and land stability measures.
  • Specialist ground stabilisation works.
  • Construction of new retaining walls where required.

The proposed approach is based on proven engineering principles that were successfully used during the Jackfield Stabilisation Project.

Benefits of the scheme

Supporting communities

The project would help maintain reliable access to homes, schools, healthcare services, businesses and visitor destinations throughout the Gorge.

Supporting economic growth

The Ironbridge Gorge plays an important role in the local economy, supporting tourism, businesses and employment opportunities.

Improved infrastructure resilience would help ensure the area continues to thrive.

Protecting heritage

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gorge contains nationally and internationally significant heritage assets.

The scheme would help support the long-term stewardship of this unique landscape.

Improving resilience

The proposal represents a proactive investment in long-term infrastructure resilience, helping to reduce future disruption and support adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

Funding

The estimated scheme cost is approximately £31.2 million.

Telford & Wrekin Council is proposing to contribute £3 million towards delivery of the scheme and is seeking external support through the Department for Transport's Structures Fund.

Stakeholder support

The proposal has been developed alongside a range of partners and stakeholders involved in managing, monitoring and protecting the Ironbridge Gorge.

The project has received broad support recognising the importance of maintaining resilient infrastructure within the World Heritage Site.

Equality and accessibility

An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken to consider the potential impacts of the scheme on different groups and identify appropriate mitigation measures during delivery.

Accessibility and inclusive access will remain key considerations as the project progresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Land stability within the Ironbridge Gorge has been monitored and managed for many years. The project is a long-term resilience proposal designed to reduce future risks and support continued investment in the area.

No. Ground movement within parts of the Gorge is well understood and has been actively monitored for decades.

The scale of the proposed works is beyond what could reasonably be funded through routine highway maintenance budgets. The Structures Fund has been created specifically to help local authorities deliver large-scale infrastructure projects of this nature.

Has the Council delivered similar projects before?

Yes. Telford & Wrekin Council successfully delivered the Jackfield Stabilisation Project in 2014, which addressed similar challenges elsewhere within the Ironbridge Gorge. As well as several other stabilisation projects within the Gorge including Lloyd's Head, Madeley Road and Jiggers Bank.

Next steps

The Structures Fund application has now been submitted to the Department for Transport for consideration.
Should funding be secured, the Council will continue the project through detailed design, approvals, procurement and construction.
Further updates will be published on this webpage as the project progresses.

Last updated : 5 August 2026