Ironbridge Gorge 'saved' by Eric Pickles' £12m grant Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will say today: "It is vital that we do not let places like Ironbridge Gorge deteriorate or slide out of sight. The picturesque 18th century Ironbridge Gorge stands as a monument to modernity and the industrial revolution - a testament to British ingenuity and ambition that has been universally protected as a World Heritage Site for all to marvel at. The money "will preserve Ironbridge Gorge's place in history as one of the world's great symbols and a site of outstanding beauty for generations to come, making certain it can continue to draw in visitors and bring money into the local economy." The site became a Unesco world heritage site in 1986, ranking alongside the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Great Wall of China and the Pyramids in Egypt. Every year 500,000 tourists visit the Gorge and its 10 museums, pumping £20million into the economies of Telford and Wrekin and the wider Shropshire area.