Harley Bank - reshaping the rock face

Progress so far

This has been a mammoth task and our contractors have made good progress completing the scheme over a week ahead of schedule on the 1 August.

Closure of Harley Bank (A458)

Investigation work in 2007 found that the rock face at Harley Bank near Much Wenlock was unstable and that it needed to be reshaped for safety reasons.

In order to carry out this work the A458 at Harley Bank was closed on the 30 June 2008 for six weeks. A road closure was found to be the only option to enable our contractors, Enterprise to work safely and also keep road users safe from the massive rock excavation.

What the scheme involves

During these six weeks we will be excavating 16,000 tonnes of rock from the side of the road.

We are removing this rock to reshape the hillside. The new profile will have a stepped appearance - there will be a vertical face, a horizontal shelf and a second vertical face. This design will ensure that in future, any rocks that fall will merely drop onto the level below rather than rolling down the slope out into the road.

Whilst we are carrying out these safety works we have also taken the opportunity to reposition and widen the road.

Diversion route

Whilst this narrow section of the A458 is closed, northbound traffic will be able to gain access along the A4169 to Buildwas, north on the B4380 to Eaton Constantine Cross Roads, west to Cressage and south on the A458 and vice versa for southbound traffic.

We recognise that this has meant an increase in volume of traffic for villages on the diversion route and we have taken various steps to ensure the enhanced safety of all during this essential closure period.

This has included the introduction of traffic calming schemes at certain locations on the signed diversion route, including a 30mph mandatory speed limit in the village of Buildwas and temporary vehicle activated signs outside the William Brookes School in Much Wenlock, Buildwas Primary School and at Leighton village.

Excavated rock to be used for new wildlife habitat

The excavated rock will be used to sympathetically infill a former quarry site at Newton Farm near Much Wenlock, where we are hoping to create a new wildlife habitat by selective planting of native trees and shrubs.

Much Wenlock is still open for business

The timing of the closure was agreed following consultation with the local community and it's true to say there is never a good time to carry out this kind of work.

The road closure falls in the summer tourist season, however this was unavoidable and the road needed to be closed for safety reasons. We have been working with local traders to ensure that any disruption to trade in Much Wenlock is kept to a minimum.

Much Wenlock is a beautiful medieval town steeped in history and full of speciality shops. Whether you visit the Wenlock Priory, the black and white timber buildings or just browse through the shops you will find lots to do.

This market town with its cobbled streets, shuts and holy wells is well worth a visit. Places not to be missed include the old Guildhall, the town museum or the Jubilee clock erected for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

Believe it or not the town is also the home of the modern day Olympic Games. Dr William Penny Brookes held the first games in 1850 which then inspired the international games to take place. It still holds its own Olympic Games every year in early July.

Once you have seen enough shops don’t forget that the town is set in the beautiful Shropshire countryside with plenty of opportunities for walking!

For further information about the town, please follow the links on this page.