Continuing work on the Ironbridge Gorge is disruptive, say business owners

Business owners today spoke of the disruption they continue to face as works to stop the Ironbridge Gorge slipping into the river continue.

Contractors started the 17.6 million Jackfield stabilisation project last year and are about halfway through the works.

Gabrielle Turner, from Much Wenlock, who runs Scarletts Cafe in the Maws Centre, said that the stabilisation work has had a significant impact on her business.

She said: We rely on customers coming into our cafe and the number has reduced significantly, especially since October last year, when the temporary road turned into a mud bath.

I have to say that the contractors McPhillips have been excellent, they have put in more footpaths and even wash my car.

We have a monthly meeting involving the contractors, the parish council, Telford & Wrekins Head of Projects, local residents and those who own businesses in the Maws Centre.

The new road will be better than the old one and could bring us a lot more customers but that is the future and I am worried about the situation we face now.

Amanda Hillier, from Coalbrookdale, runs Amanda Hillier Print & Design in the Fusion Building, said: We have escaped significant disruption as we are away from the main area of work, but weve found that people can be put off by the amount of heavy vehicles in the area.

Paul Hornby, from Telford, has run Coin Creations in the Maws Craft Centre for 15 years and hasnt noticed a significant change in the volume of business.

He said: We are lucky as the bulk of our business is done online or at craft fairs but we hope that when the work is done and the new road is in place, there will be an increase in the number of visitors we have.

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Continuing work on the Ironbridge Gorge is disruptive, say business owners