Call to tackle 'appalling' Walsall town centre violence as part of £36m revamp

Walsall Council’s cabinet endorsed the £36 million Connected Gateway scheme, which will see a raft of enhancements aimed at encouraging people to live, work and shop in the town centre.

These include improvements to the Saddlers Centre and railway station, a better connection between the bus and rail stations and the creation of a public square.

But during a meeting on Wednesday, members said more policing was also needed for visitors to feel safer, while leader Councillor Mike Bird said public conveniences were also important.

Councillor Bird said: “We have to call upon many of the licensed premises to have engagement with this council, and indeed the police, and we’ve got to do everything to take that crime off the street which is normally alcohol fuelled.

“I used to say Walsall closes at 5pm at night - sometimes now I wish it did, because the measure of violence we see throughout this town centre is absolutely appalling.

“The quicker we can get to the heart of the nub of that, the quicker we will see a safe town centre.”

Deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: “The project involves enhancing the railway station and the gateway into Walsall.

“It will involve some of the Saddlers Centre but this is to have the ambition and focus on the future for Walsall, connecting those two hubs of transport and improving the connectivity to get people into the town.

“When you arrive either by bus or train, first of all you want to know you’re in Walsall and it is a welcoming place that has ambition, and it is safe for people to work, live and shop.

“This will be a game-changer for Walsall along with the Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund.”

Councillor Garry Perry said policing was the number one priority for safer town and district centres.

Councillor Bird added: “Unlike some towns and cities we welcome people who’ve got cars. The best shopping trolley has a two-litre engine.

“We’ve seen little green shoots but the retail sector has got a long way to go. What we have to do is get people saying they have a need to go to the town centre and this will be reason to go and make it an enjoyable experience.

“Something we are looking at, which may seem a bit trite is toilets in town and district centres. The retail sector used to fill that gap. Without that being there anymore, that’s something else this plan will address.”

The project is anticipated to be completed by 2026.