Skip to content

Children's play area part of town centre revamp

Christian BarnettLocal Democracy Reporter, Wolverhampton
LDRS Rows of white canopies on a gravel area with a path down the centre, seen on a sunny day. White clouds float in the sky. A white van and black estate vehicle are parked on the right, and people can be seen in the distance.LDRS
The current view from Pinfold Street, Bilston, of a site occupied temporarily by market traders

A patch of gravel in a town centre could be transformed into a green space with a children's play area, under council plans for a town hoping to become a cultural centre.

Wolverhampton City Council has submitted a scheme for a proposed new link off Bilston High Street, which is temporarily the site of its outdoor market.

It would be filled with plants and trees, with new seating also provided.

The council's plans include a tree-lined boulevard and space for mobile food trucks, as well as a dedicated area for public art, exhibitions, performances and community events.

The link runs from the town centre through Pinfold Street car park and towards Bert Williams Leisure Centre.

Wolverhampton City Council said work on the new space would begin when traders moved back into the redeveloped outdoor market in the summer.

Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: "The Bilston High Street Link improvements are part of our wider works to deliver the best for the town.

"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."

Wolverhampton City Council A computer-generated image of adults walking around an open space with trees lining a central path, some sitting on benches. A food truck can be seen on the left in the far distance next to children in a playground area.Wolverhampton City Council
An artist's impression of the new public space off Bilston High Street

The land previously housed a row of derelict shops which were bought by the council and eventually demolished in 2015.

While it has hosted pop-up events over the years, the patch of gravel remained largely empty, until it became a temporary home for the town's outdoor market while the existing site was being rebuilt.

It has continued as a temporary home while the much-delayed redevelopment of the market continues.

Earlier this week, the council announced Bilston would be entering the race to become the first UK Town of Culture in 2028.

Last month, the council approved regeneration plans that would see £20m spent on improving the town across the next decade.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

More stories like this
Related internet links