Telford

Telford advertises itself as 'The Birthplace of Industry', due to its proximity to Coalbrookdale and other places in the Ironbridge Gorge area. Telford is a large new town in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial county of Shropshire. Telford is about 13 miles east of Shrewsbury, and 30 miles west of Birmingham. Telford has an estimated population (for the borough) of 162,300 in 2009. Telford is by far the largest town in Shropshire, and one of the fastest growing towns in the United Kingdom. Telford is named after civil engineer Thomas Telford. Telford was built in the 1960s and 1970s as a new town on previously industrial and agricultural land. Telford was created from the merger of other, of Wellington, Oakengates, Madeley and Dawley. Telford,s shopping centre was constructed at the new town's geographical centre. Telford now includes Ironbridge Gorge, a scenic tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The River Severn flows along Telford's southernmost boundary. Telford's town centre lies about 21 kilometres east/south-east of Shrewsbury and 24 kilometres ) north-west of Wolverhampton.