The new route will improve the town centre and provide direct and safe access through to the new Pinfold Street car park and onto the Bert Williams Leisure Centre and other new facilities. When completed, the new access link will be surrounded by a landscaped open space just off the High Street. The project will form part of the wider regeneration of Bilston town centre which will include new development in the long term.
Contractors have moved on site to begin the demolition of numbers 8 to 20 High Street and work will continue for 24 weeks. In the weeks leading up to Christmas the contractors will be clearing the site and demolishing the single storey properties behind those fronting the High Street. In the new year, the main demolition of the 2 and 3 storey building fronting the High Street will take place.
In addition, investigative ground works started this week on the first 2 sites off Carder Crescent where housing will be developed. The city council is in final negotiations with the potential developer.
Wolverhampton City Council deputy leader and cabinet member for economic regeneration and prosperity Peter Bilson said: "We are committed to the regeneration of Bilston to ensure it can continue to be a thriving town which will attract further investment and more visitors. This work will remove derelict buildings to improve the vision of the town centre and improve connections between the 2 sites. In the long term it will also provide an area for future potential development and further enhance Bilston town centre."
Plans for the High Street link were adopted in 2010 and the buildings were compulsory purchased by the city council. The council is using a local contractor to carry out the work, further boosting the area's economy.
- released: Tuesday 2 December, 2014