Lights up! £520k project to bring life to Wolverhampton landmarks at night
Bright lights, big city! Wolverhampton will be lit up in different colours with £520,000 to go on bringing its streets and landmarks to life at night.
Queen Square fountain, the Lady Wulfruna statue and St Peter’s Square are among the spots to be illuminated along a 1.5 mile walking route in Wolverhampton with work expected to start next month.
It will see different coloured lighting used and could even see moving images projected onto some buildings.
Council chiefs say it is the first phase of a bigger initiative called Lighting Up The City to improve its look and encourage people to be more active whilst making people feel safer on the streets at night.
The first stage will also include lighting at the new city centre market site in Cleveland Street and the Queen Square fountain and steps.
The trees along the shopping parade in Dudley Street will be illuminated as will Lock Street, Wishbone Bridge, St Peter’s Gardens, the Civic Halls and University of Wolverhampton’s campus at Deanery Place.
The city’s Art Gallery entrance and building will see new lighting to enhance its look too.
And talks are taking place with Wolves, House of Fraser, and the Mander Centre as the final proposal is developed, which it is envisaged will eventually take in even larger swathes of the city including its pocket parks.
Preparatory works have already started to upgrade existing lighting schemes within the city, including the Cenotaph at St Peter’s Square, and the Ionic Order, between Wednesfield Road and Ring Road St Patrick’s. LED and colourful lighting will be used as part of the £520,000. It is made up of £330,000 from capital monies that can be claimed back. And £190,000 will come from a one off payment from the regeneration reserve. Works will be between August 2017 and February 2018.
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: “This project aims to showcase some of the many architecturally interesting buildings in the city, create a more interesting and attractive environment throughout the night and day. In creating a more inviting and safer environment it is anticipated footfall will increase within the city resulting in economic benefits for the area. In addition, the inclusion of a walking route within the city is anticipated to contribute towards healthier lifestyles by increasing physical activity participation levels.
“The scheme will of course be carried out with the environment in mind by using LED lighting to reduce energy demand.”
The lighting will be varied around Christmas and Diwali. The council is also looking to introduce lighting schemes as part of new developments, such as the £55m Westside project.
