Ironbridge Gorge
What is the risk of Ironbridge Gorge instability to Shropshire?
One of the risks in West Mercia relates to land instability in the Ironbridge Gorge.
Landslips in the Gorge area are nothing new and have been happening for hundreds of years.
The underground geological structure of the Ironbridge Gorge and the effects of ongoing erosion and of past mining in the area have caused gradual land slippage for many years.
If you would like to learn more about the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site and understand and prepare for issues linked to land instability in the gorge, please visit Telford & Wrekin Council's website here.
How could a landslip
affect you and your property?
A major landslip in the Ironbridge Gorge could disrupt essential services and daily life.
- Risk to life from collapsing ground, falling debris or sudden movement of land
- Health impacts for elderly and vulnerable residents if access or services are disrupted
- Loss of income for local businesses due to road closures, infrastructure damage or reduced visitor access
- Reduced ability to cook or heat homes if gas, electricity or water supplies are affected
- Communication outages if cables or masts are damaged
- Food safety risks if refrigeration fails during power loss
- Failure of medical equipment that relies on electricity
- Significant pressure on emergency responders managing access, evacuations and repairs
We can all be better prepared to
respond and recover from landslips
Follow these practical steps so you and your family can be better prepared for landslips occurring.
Prepare for the possibility of evacuation
Should it be identified that there is a high risk of a landslip occurring, you may be asked to leave your property.
If you think you would require assistance evacuating, should you be asked to do so, then please complete the form below.
Create an emergency kit
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, 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 people
- Spare set of keys (home, car, office)
- Bank cards/ cash
- Change of clothes and sensible footwear
Plan for emergency accommodation
If you live in an area that may need to be evacuated due to a landslip risk in the Ironbridge Gorge, you might not be able to return home straight away. The Council advises residents to arrange safe accommodation with family or friends outside the Gorge. If you have nowhere suitable to go, the local authority will open a reception centre to provide temporary accommodation.
It’s important to discuss your plans in advance as part of your personal emergency preparedness.
How to prepare
your business
Responding to land instability at Ironbridge Gorge
- 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.
- Whilst monitoring and stabilisation work is undertaken, plans must be in place for any sudden movements. This has been written in partnership with emergency services, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, the Environment Agency, voluntary sector and utility companies.
What to look out for:
- Cracks in the paths or pavements
- Distortion of surfaces
- Cracked or bowed doors, or leaning walls
- Garden movement, trees or soil sliding
- Severely leaning trees
- Disruption to utilities
If you notice any of the above, please report it to highways@telford.gov.uk and if possible include a picture and the location using WhatThreeWords.
Find your emergency contacts for landslips
Who is responsible for managing
land instability in Ironbridge Gorge?
Telford & Wrekin Council has full details on who to contact regarding land instability and the ongoing work to minimise disruption here:
Some of our partners
