Work to expand i54 business park 'ahead of schedule' despite coronavirus
Work to expand the i54 business park on the outskirts of Wolverhampton is "ahead of schedule" despite coronavirus, bosses have confirmed.
Site clearance, land investigation and testing across the 60-acre site at the i54 in South Staffordshire were completed last week.
Now the main construction of employment floor space for businesses has started – with work expected to be completed next year.
The western extension aims to deliver 100,000 square metres for companies – with an aim of providing around 1,700 new jobs from 2022.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, Wolverhampton council cabinet member for city economy, said: "i54 plays a major part in the lives of thousands of people in Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire and, at this worrying time with Covid-19, it is more important than ever that we can make rapid progress on projects such as this and welcome new investment.
"We see the western extension as critical to the long-term recovery of our local economy after the crisis.
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"Our joint investment at i54 has secured hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and has brought thousands of jobs to the area, with half of employees living within a 10-mile radius.
"We are now building on the success of what is already one of the UK’s premier advanced manufacturing business parks."
The project has been spearheaded by Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council, and has been backed by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Economic stability
Councillor Mark Winnington, economic growth leader at Staffordshire County Council, said: "We’re pleased to have maintained construction work on our major projects site where possible, so we can maintain long-term economic stability.
"The safety of public and our teams remains the top priority.
"It’s great to visit the i54 South Staffordshire western extension site to see the progress made. This is vital work that will support our economy in getting back on its feet post-Covid-19.
"This is a critical project for our partnership and we know there is still high demand for businesses to locate here. That is why we made the decision to expand the site.
"We anticipate the western extension could generate hundreds more jobs and lever in millions of pounds’ worth of private investment.
"Successful business parks like i54 South Staffordshire generate business rates which support the funding of public services.”
The partners in the scheme have also agreed a further £500,000 to support and promote sustainable travel activities – with £50,000 being given to Pendeford Hall Nature Reserve.
Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, leader of South Staffordshire Council, said: "All of the partners associated with i54 South Staffordshire are committed to supporting the local economy and bringing more jobs and investment to the area.
"Our award-winning work continues at pace despite the Covid-19 pandemic, and the new western extension is really starting to take shape and show its full potential now the construction of the fully-serviced factory platforms is underway. It’s encouraging news about this outstanding business location and I’m very proud to support this project."
