New youth hub and better CCTV in £20m town plans

More events, activities and improvements in Walsall's town centre were planned by the council with the cash

A new youth hub, better CCTV and more green spaces are among 15 new projects planned in a town after it got £20m from the government.

The projects in Walsall, in the West Midlands, which would also include more town centre activities, would "create opportunities", boost the local economy and improve health, a council spokesperson said.

The youth hub would give youngsters a safe and supportive environment "to tackle the root causes of anti-social behaviour", they added.

The schemes will be fleshed out with more details in the coming months, councillor Adrian Andrew said.

The council wants to increase the number of people coming into the town centre.

The spokesperson said their Healthy High Street team would hold more activities and events to "revive community spirit and boost the local economy".

The £20m includes funds to expand the local Connected Gateway development which the council said would include new outdoor gym equipment, better pedestrian and cycle paths and a more welcoming route to the town centre, with more green spaces and public art.

"The projects will help us to create opportunities, boost the local economy, improve health outcomes for local people and take back our streets," Andrew added.