The improvements planned for Lichfield Street, Queen Square and Darlington Street follow extensive consultation with businesses, the public and key stakeholders.
The completed scheme will deliver high quality improvements such as wider, brighter, safer streets; vibrant public events spaces; more trees, greenery and seating; and easy access for buses, cycles and taxis.
The aim is to stimulate more visitors and spend with businesses and act as a catalyst for further investment, while contributing to creating a pleasant environment to support and encourage healthy city living lifestyles.
It is the third and final phase of City of Wolverhampton Council’s city centre improvements programme following completed schemes in the Victoria Street and University of Wolverhampton at The Halls areas that have seen regular events staged in the new spaces, increasing city centre footfall and economic spend and attracting new investment such as Superbowl UK coming to the Mander Centre units off Victoria Street in the coming months.
Councillor Chris Burden, the council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “We want people to enjoy our city centre from the moment they arrive, and this is the next step in our transformation plans that are delivering positive outcomes for businesses, residents and visitors.
“Creating enhanced walking, cycling and dwell space, as well as infrastructure for events and attractions, and a better environment for city centre living is helping to boost the local economy.
“The works will also complement other transformational development schemes already underway or in the pipeline in the city centre, including the £150 million Interchange and commercial district, and thousands of new homes coming at City Centre West and Canalside – all helping to create hundreds of new jobs and further investment opportunities.”
The works will be carried out by contractor Taylor Woodrow in stages, with the entire scheme expected to last for 2 and a half years, including pauses in the works for key city centre events and during Christmas periods.
The first works on Darlington Street, between Chapel Ash Island and Red Lion Street, will start in the week commencing 20 January and are expected to last for around 6 months, subject to weather conditions. They will involve excavation and installation of new paving on north and south footways.
A temporary road closure will be in place along lower Darlington Street with a clearly signed diversion route in place at the Waterloo Road/School Street junction. Pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained at all times during business hours.
Funding for the scheme consists of £13.5 million from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) fund, £3 million from the Towns Fund and £2.6 million from the Active Travel Fund.
