Plans go in for new footbridge over canal in Walsall town centre
A decision on plans for a new footbridge to help create a thriving Walsall town centre waterfront will be made in the coming weeks.
Walsall Council and the Canal & River Trust are looking to install a new bridge on the ‘Walsall Town Arm’ area of the canal, off Wolverhampton Street and near the New Art Gallery.
A planning application has been submitted to the authority and a decision on the proposal is expected in mid-December.
It is part of a major scheme of work which is seeing £6.5 million spent on improvements in Park Street, Gallery Square and the canal basin.
As well as the proposed footbridge aimed at linking the cinema and retail area to residents living across the water, there are plans to install bollards providing power and water to boaters and the introduction of a ‘sea bin’ to collect litter from the canal.
The planning application said: “Walsall Council aspire to make significant changes across the town that will regenerate the town centre and transform the economic growth of Walsall.
“The “Walsall Town Centre Masterplan” sets out a vision for the town over the next 20 years.
“Walsall have been successful in securing £11.4m from the Future High Street Fund in 2021 and together with investment from Walsall Council, the Council are now able to deliver the early phases of the project.
“Additionally, Walsall Council have been successful in securing £23.5 million through the Towns Fund for delivering key projects across the town.
“There are nine projects set out in the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which will be transformative, deliver long term economic growth and boost the town centre.
“The Active Public Spaces (APS) project is one of the nine key projects to be delivered as part of the TIP.
“The APS project consists of high quality public realm that will transform Gallery Square and Park Street, putting The New Art Gallery at its heart, providing key links between retail hubs and creating a multi-functional spaces that increases activity and dwell time within the town centre.
“The pedestrian and cycle bridge project is to deliver a new bridge that improves connectivity, active travel and economic prosperity within the town centre.
“The location of the new bridge is along an area of the canal known as the “Walsall Town Arm”.
“There are also a number of other projects in Walsall that are being brought forward in tangent with the APS project and the pedestrian and cycle bridge.
“The APS project team have undertaken extensive collaboration and coordination exercises with other design teams to ensure cohesive public realm design across the town.”
