Next step of city centre transformation set to be agreed

West Midlands Combined Authority’s Investment Board is expected to sign off the business case for the Wolverhampton City Centre Movement – bus, cycle and walk package, at a meeting on Monday (December 9).

The project is the latest of the three-phase City Centre Public Realm Improvements Programme, following completed schemes in Victoria Street and the Civic Halls areas.

In this phase, work will be carried out within the confines of the A4150 Ring Road including Queen Square, Darlington Street and Lichfield Street.

This will include enhancing Queen Square as a ‘high-quality’ events area, a two way cycle route, one way access for buses and taxis, work to widen footpaths, seating and lighting, relocated bus stops with new shelters, improved signage and raised kerbs.

If signed off by the Investment Board, City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement funding of £13.530m will be provided for the scheme.

City of Wolverhampton Council, who are managing the project, has already secured £2,972,000 from the Towns Fund and £2,607,283 from the Active Travel Fund, subject to grant agreement, to complete the two year project.

A report to Investment Board said: “The alterations to infrastructure and introduction of improved facilities to buses, cycling and walking are a critical aspect which underpins the wider City Centre Public Realm Improvements Programme and Connected Places Strategy.

“Over the past three years Wolverhampton has been working to develop and deliver these schemes utilising a cocktail of funding opportunities appropriate to the intended outcome.

“The project aims to create a significantly improved pedestrian and cycling environment, which builds greater connectivity between the City’s transport interchange, the key strategic regeneration initiatives, and the city’s core.

“Focussed around Lichfield Street, Queen Square and Darlington Street, the project will provide the “missing link” between the phase one project in Victoria Street, phase three around the Civic Halls, as well as providing direct links to the Interchange and the surrounding active travel network.

“As the face of activity changes within the city centre, a changing axis of movement is emerging, with key destinations altering to those seen pre pandemic.

“Bus movement and patronage within and around the city is changing. Areas once requiring direct bus access has changed and the need to create space for walking, cycling and on street activity is taking priority, in areas previously heavily trafficked by bus and taxi movements.”