Willenhall benefits from major improvement works
Date Published : 15 March 2010
More than £90,000 has so far been invested in Willenhall to overhaul parts of the town including improved lighting, footpaths and planting as part of a programme of works by the council linked to a new supermarket development.
Environmental improvements including new fencing, wall and paving repairs, planting and installation of new bins has been carried out in Walsall Street/Bilston Street using a Section 106 funding contribution from Morrisons' development of the former Assa Abloy site.
Other improvements include new low carbon lighting in Malthouse Lane, Union Street, Angel Passage, Bell Alley and Cross Street. To encourage shoppers into the town centre a billboard has been erected near to Union Street car park which directs visitors to town centre shops and key facilities.
Pavements have been replaced in Malthouse Lane, jointly funded by Section 106 money and Walsall Council's Rights of Way team which were completed in early February 2010. Plans are also currently being designed for improved signs within Willenhall town centre pinpointing key places and shopping areas within the town.
In total more than £90,000 has been spent so far with a further £80,000 set to be invested in the town centre on further environmental initiatives.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council deputy leader, said: "The new supermarket is a major boost for Willenhall in terms of the area's long term regeneration and should be seen as a positive step forward for the town.
"This is another demonstration of our commitment to Willenhall and other district centres.
"The work which has taken place so far, and is continuing over the next few months, has greatly improved the area between the supermarket and town centre and I'm confident will have the desired impact in drawing people who both live in Willenhall and further afield into the town."
Willenhall traders and Willenhall Project Reference Group have had a key say in deciding what work should take place. The PRG, which meets bi-monthly, is made up of councillors, LNP members, traders, businesses and community representatives supported by the council and Walsall Housing Group.
Councillor Sean Coughlan, chairman of Willenhall Project Reference Group, said: "A lot of planning has gone into deciding what work should take place and shows what can be achieved when everyone works together on a project."
Stan Taylor, chairman of Willenhall Traders and Community Support Group,said: "It was important for us, as traders, to have a say in the work which takes place.
"The new supermarket is drawing hundreds more people into the area and from our point of view it was important to identify how we could benefit from this and attract those shoppers to make the short walk into the town centre as well."
