New designs for Bilston High Street link project on display
Designs for a new public space being created in Bilston have gone on display this week, as a public consultation on the plans nears completion.
Wolverhampton’s city council wants to create a pedestrian link between Pinfold Street and the High Street in Bilston, around 2.5 miles from the city centre.
The project forms part of a £9m regeneration plan for the area, which also includes a redevelopment of the town’s outdoor market.
Work began on the development in late 2024, when the authority started clearance work on a number of derelict buildings facing on to the High Street, with temporary landscaping and pedestrian crossings in place until designs for the area have been finalised.
The demolitions have left a hole in Bilston’s High Street, temporarily pressed into use by the town’s market traders while work on the redevelopment of the market is under way, but which will be eventually be replaced with a “high quality, distinctive and sustainable space” intended for community use, according to the proposals.
Facilities proposed for the scheme are specifically aimed at younger residents, the city council says.
Now, the local authority has launched a final public consultation on its favoured proposals, with plans on display from today(16 October) at Bert Turner Boulevard. The consultation is set to close later this month, on 24 October.
Pre-school and school age play equipment is planned for the site, alongside temporary pop-up food outlets. Opportunities for local businesses that provide food and drink to book space will be available, the city council says.
“We not only want to enhance this public space to create a better environment – but also make it a thriving space for activities, particularly for the young people of Bilston,” said Wolverhampton councillor Chris Burden, speaking at the launch of the consultation.
“It is important for our traditional local centres to flourish, and this scheme builds substantially on the investment already made in Bilston in recent years.”
Once final designs have been approved, construction work on the project is expected to begin during next year.
