New bridge to be built to connect town centre

The new bridge is due to be installed near the Light Cinema

A new footbridge has been given the go ahead in Walsall to better connect the town centre.

Walsall Council’s planning committee approved the scheme on Thursday, with the bridge due to be installed near the Light Cinema.

The authority said it had been working with the Canal and River Trust to improve the area’s canals and to attract boaters to the town centre canal basin.

It is one of a number of projects aimed at providing better access for people to walk, cycle or use public transport.

“It will make it easier for people to travel around the town centre for leisure and work purposes, especially between the waterfront apartments and Crown Wharf retail park,” said councillor Adrian Andrew.

He added: “Improvements have already been made to canal towpaths across the borough, and this footbridge is another piece of the jigsaw that will improve connectivity and create opportunities for local people.”

The council said the bridge would make it easier for people to travel around the town centre

The authority said Walsall was in the middle of a £1.5bn programme of transformation, with funding secured to improve the borough and create housing and employment opportunities.

The bridge scheme is part of a series of town centre improvements funded through the government’s Towns Fund.

Other improvements planned for the town centre will include a new hub for creative industries in the former Guildhall building as well as transformation of the Saddlers Centre and Park Street area to improve links between the bus station and train station in the town centre.