Moves to breathe new life into centre
Detailed plans on breathing new life into Quarry Bank will be unveiled to the public in June, it has been announced.
Detailed plans on breathing new life into Quarry Bank will be unveiled to the public in June, it has been announced.
Dudley Council is in the process of drawing up regeneration proposals for the town centre.
Residents, businesses and community leaders attended a consultation event in March to discuss the plans.
Now the feedback is being used to draw up a detailed list of proposals which will be put to the public for their views in June.
Traders in the town have called for more shops, public toilets and traditional buildings to help the ailing Quarry Bank High Street.
Donna Evans-Hadley, aged 36, who runs wool shop Mary's Fashions, said: "Some days you can hear a pin drop on the High Street, it is that quiet. The heart has gone out of Quarry Bank because so many places like the estate office and library have closed.
"We need more shops to encourage people back into the High Street like a nice fruit and veg shop or a coffee and cake shop where people can sit down and spend some time."
The draft regeneration strategy will be available on Dudley Council's website at the library link at Quarry Bank community centre.
All feedback will be used to draw up a final regeneration strategy at the end of the summer. Councillor Malcolm Knowles, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We had a tremendous amount of feedback when we first put these proposals to the public, which I think demonstrates how supportive people are of our plans to regenerate Quarry Bank.
"The next phase to discuss the detail of the proposals following discussions with the public, and I urge everyone to get involved."
The proposals will be available from June on the council website at www.dudley.gov.uk following the link to www.quarrybank-regeneration.com
Quarry Bank is one of five areas across the area set for regeneration, which include Shell Corner in Halesowen.
The others are Pensnett, Lye and Cradley/Windmill Hill.
Two possible sites have been identified for the redevelopment project alongside a string of possible improvements and the council will work to attract new opportunities to the area. One of the site comprises 297 and 308 Long Lane and 1 to 3 Malt Mill Lane. The second includes 285-296 Long Lane.
Other improvements include two pedestrian crossings, a public car park, landscaping, benches and bins, road widening and short-stay parking spaces.
Funding is likely to be earmarked in stages and it is not yet known what the timescale for the work will be.
The regeneration strategy was prompted by a council report which revealed residents did not feel safe in Shell Corner after 5pm and complaints of a lack of parking and shops.
