Date set for £3.3m high street improvement work

The work will see improved paving, lighting, "greening" and seating, better car park signs and a new events and activity space

Delayed work costing £3.3m to improve Wednesfield High Street will begin in the new year after designs have been finalised, the council has said.

Plans for the project, funded by the government, were drawn up in November 2024, with work expected to start earlier this year, the council said at the time.

However, a final delivery programme has now been set up, and an agreement reached with traders not to disrupt Christmas trading.

The opposition Conservative group on the council criticised the time the project has taken to get under way, saying "targets have slipped", with businesses saying they have seen little visible progress.

The new work includes improved paving, lighting, "greening" and seating, better car park signs and a new events and activity space.

A number of initiatives have also been drawn up to support traders and rejuvenate the high street, the council said.

It has made a £15,000 commitment towards events and activities, and the introduction of pop-up markets for new traders.

'Playing politics'

There has also been an £8,000 commission for the Association of British Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to carry out a feasibility study for a Wednesfield BID to help stimulate the local economy.

The work was due to be completed in March next year but the council said that would now not happen, but discussions were under way with the contractor Taylor Woodrow to agree the final delivery programme.

Labour leader of the council councillor Stephen Simkins said the Conservative group was "playing politics with our ambitious regeneration plans".

"Capital building programmes can be complex and challenging and rarely go to plan, so timelines do vary and tweaks are necessary," he said.

Other improvements as part of the project include more attractive pedestrian access from Bentley Bridge and linking the High Street with Lichfield Road and the new Wednesfield Technology Primary School.

There will also be improved paving, landscaping, lighting through Bealeys Fold and pedestrian crossings in the High Street.