Telford and Wrekin

Telford and Wrekin, local government unitary authority, or administrative area, in the West Midlands of England. It is bordered by Staffordshire to the east, but otherwise surrounded by Shropshire. The town of Telford is the administrative centre of the unitary authority, which has an area of 29 sq km (11 sq mi). Telford and Wrekin came into existence on April 1, 1998, and was established as a result of the review of local administration in the non-metropolitan counties of England carried out by the Local Government Commission that was established under the Local Government Act of 1992. Previously Telford and Wrekin had been administered by a district council, which was part of a two-tier structure with Shropshire County. For ceremonial and related occasions, the unitary authority forms part of Shropshire. For the physical geography, settlement, economy, and history of the area, see Shropshire. Population 158,285 (2001).