Mining

The East Shropshire coalfield runs from Shifnal in the north to the Wyre Forest in the south. The area includes the new town of Telford and most of the outlying settlements such as Broseley, Benthall, Caughley and Highley. The area covers around 50 square kilometres.

More about the coalfield area

The population of the area grew quickly as the coal industry developed. Common and waste land was bought into private use in order to house the workforce. The workers often lived in squatter cottages, which they built from materials found on the land.  The land owners turned a blind eye to the squatting in return for cheap labour. It was not until the 19th century that workers were often leased a house to go with their job.

Some of the products of mining

The coal industry produced many by-products. Limestone and ironstone were used in iron-working. Pottery, brick and tiles were made from the clay extracted with the coal. Tar, gas and chemicals were also produced. Although the East Shropshire Coalfield is quite small it had many valuable minerals.  There are even 14th century reports of gold. However the most important, in the economic development of the region, were the coal itself, ironstone and fireclay. These minerals helped to fuel the Industrial Revolution. Even the by products from the iron smelting furnaces, known as slag, have been used as hardcore under roads and in construction of Telford New Town.