Major plans to transform Bilston are unveiled

A public exhibition into the £176 million Bilston Urban Village project was on show at Bilston Town Hall, on Church Street.

The display, which has been organised by Wolverhampton City Council and the Bilston Town Centre Traders' Forum, will showcase all of the planning documents and drawings for developments including new roads, pedestrian and cycle routes and drainage.

Development proposals for the land next to the town's Bert Williams Leisure Centre will also be shown to visitors, as well as proposals for the creation of a High Street link across Pinfold Street car park, which will start on April 7.

Bosses have also unveiled plans for the release of the first phase of the residential development off Dudley Street.

Traders and residents were invited to view the plans and speak with representatives from the city council and town centre management.

Raj Randhawa, of Bilston Motor Spares and who is also chair of the Bilston Traders Forum, said: "As a group of business people we want to take advantage of the investment being made in the town and work together with a range of stakeholders to make sure we all benefit."

Councillor Peter Bilson, the council's cabinet member for economic regeneration and prosperity, added: "The proposals are taking shape and these will complement what has already happened in the area.

"I would urge everyone to attend this event and see the exciting plans for themselves and give their feedback."

The long-awaited project has been in the pipeline for years, but a planning application for the latest phase of work, costing £4.5million, was submitted earlier this month.

That phase covers preparatory work at the 35-hectare site next to Carder Crescent, which has been empty for years and could house more than 600 homes, as well as leisure facilities.

Plan also include the removal of the former railway embankment between Coseley Road and South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy and new road junctions in Coseley Road and Highfields Road.