 Geology, flooding and mining are blamed for the landslide problems |
Construction work has begun to combat a land slip under an historical landmark to stop it falling into a river. The work on the Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire involves stabilising a 540ft (165m) stretch of roadway which is an active landslide by the River Severn.
The �3m project will see 144 steel poles drilled 100ft (30m) in to the gorge side to halt the earth movement.
The poles will be reinforced by concrete and the road rebuilt on top, work is due to finish in June 2007.
'Force of gravity'
The construction work is taking place along a road called the Lloyds, about half a mile from Ironbridge itself.
Geology, flooding and mining are blamed for the landslide problems
Guy Biddulph, of Telford and Wrekin Council, said: "The problem is quite bad at this site, areas of the gorge are active landslides but this is the most active of all.
"Unfortunately the highway itself is a key link."
Adam Rawling of construction firm Amec said: "The scheme involves 144, 30m-long, poles that are installed into solid ground below the land slip.
"They will actively be able to resist material as it tries to go down the hillside due to the force of gravity."
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