Trail plea for power station site

A pathway for walkers, cyclists and horse riders could be constructed under plans for the future development of the Ironbridge power station site.

Shropshire Council’s Great Outdoors Strategy Board will discuss the proposal at a meeting next week.

The board will write to the developers calling for a pathway between the site and Buildwas.

The board said a pathway would boost tourism in the area and hopes to attract funding from a charitable organisation to help the project.

The power station was decommissioned in November 2015 and demolition work will start later this year.

Owner Harworth said the iconic cooling towers, which are structurally unsound, will come down.

Up to 1,000 homes could be built on both brownfield and greenfield sites, with the full project taking up to 15 years to complete.

Leisure facilities will be enhanced as part of the scheme, and nearby footpath and cycling links will be connected to the site.

In the summer the company will submit its planning application for its final plans.

The proposed wording of the letter from the board to the developers is: “Outdoor leisure tourism is a major driver of the local economy in both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

“Currently, there is no east-west route along the flat river plain between Ironbridge and Buildwas along the south of the river for local people and tourists to use on foot, on horseback or on a cycle.

“Two National Cycleways meet at the Iron Bridge in the Severn Gorge.

“Interestingly, the old railway line continued on to Shrewsbury, the other side of Buildwas bridge, opposite Buildwas Abbey.

“Not to continue this route through the power station site would be a missed opportunity should funding become available via a charity such as Sustrans or via funding from other sources to continue these long distance routes ‘off road’ to Shrewsbury.

“This line would be marvellous bridleway for local riders and again it connects with the long distance Jack Mytton Way Bridleway in the Gorge.

“The logical main access point on foot, by cycle and on horseback is via the line of the disused railway line from the east.

“To make a non-vehicle access and route through the site from where the old railway terminates at the boundary would not only be a wonderful opportunity for outdoor leisure tourism but it would enable the local communities on either side of the gorge to interact socially and economically.

“This is especially important for those groups such as the young, poor or old without access to cars.

“Therefore at the public consultation, it was very welcome to see a public right of way being proposed across the 1930s bridge and along the riverside and links to and through open space close to the river.”

It adds: “All of us were very impressed by the knowledge and understanding and practical examples of what you had achieved with developing trails and paths from other projects you have managed.

“If we can help in any way we would be delighted to do so. We look forward to your response.”
The letter will be confirmed and discussed at a meeting at Shirehall on February 7.