Vision for future of Dudley Zoo is backed
Multi-million pound regeneration plans aimed at boosting Dudley's biggest tourist attactions have gone on show to the public – and are already winning the support of residents.
Proposals for a new visitor information centre and new modern entrances to Dudley Zoo have been showcased as part of a exhibition and consultation this week.
The Zoo will be linked to the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal Trust by a new road under the £10 million masterplan.
Dudley Council are running the public consultation, which features artist impressions of such proposals as a new a visitor information centre. This building would be at the centre of the redeveloped Castle Hill complex with information boards giving details on the three attractions for visitors as they drive onto the site.
The centre may be manned during high season to help visitors make the most of their experience. It would be positioned close to the new cars parks serving the venues off the link road.
Officials hope revamping the hillside location will boost visitor numbers to up to a million each year and put Dudley on the tourism map.
People are able fill in questionnaires and discuss the plans as consultation stands set up in all three venues until tomorrow.
Mother-of-two Julie Large, aged 45, of Elizabeth Walk, Tipton, said she was impressed with the Zoo already and the redevelopment would only enhance the attraction.
"Every time we come to the Zoo there have been changes and it has come on in leaps and bounds so this can only add to it," she said.
"The new designs look good and maybe they should consider creating a single ticket so you can visit all three." Rachel Pearson, aged 40, of Longbridge, Birmingham, had also penned her thoughts on a questionnaire.
"I'm very impressed by the plans they have and I'm looking forward to them as it should be good for Dudley," she said.
Dawn Nicholls, from the council's development partner New Heritage Regeneration, said they received feedback from around 100 people within the first two hours of opening on Wednesday.
Council staff were at the Zoo, musuem and canal trust from 10am and 4pm today and will be there from 10am to 2pm tomorrow.
Among the ambitious proposals are plans to create new visitor entrances at the three venues, a shared link road off Tipton Road and upgrades to the existing car park to accommodate 600 new spaces.
The public consultation comes to an end on March 29.
The total cost of the project is £10.1m of which £4.5m is being funded by European Regional Development Fund.
