Wolves' Molineux and Wolverhampton Civic Hall to be protected from 'ram-raid style terror attacks'
Plans to protect key Wolverhampton city centre landmarks from potential terrorist ram-raid attacks have been approved by council chiefs.
Councillors approved plans to spend £365,000 on bringing in new measures to protect the places where crowds of people are likely to gather, including the Molineux and the Civic Halls.
Barriers that can stop 7.5-ton trucks speeding at 50mph could be installed at the locations with existing bollards repaired – and new ones installed – near Central Mosque, and in Railway Drive and Lichfield Street.
Leader of the council, councillor Roger Lawrence said at a meeting of full council on Wednesday: "We have absolutely no reason to believe that this city is any more vulnerable than any other place but with what has taken place in Manchester and other places, we have come up with a plan that protects public safety in our key locations.
"What is also clear is that any regeneration plans we have must take these type of safety considerations into account.
"We must come up with a solution that is sensitive to the aesthetics of our landmarks and not just put down a load of concrete blocks.
"We believe it is important to do this for our future and our residents. What we will do is proportionate and necessary to make sure vulnerable sites are made as safe as possible."
As part of the plan, staff at the council have also been selected for counter terrorism training.
Work on the barriers is due to start as soon as possible, and measures could be erected elsewhere in the city.
Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, UKIP councillor for Spring Vale said: "I was surprised to see that the report does not highlight concerns around the potential vulnerability of Dudley Street, considering it is still possible, if you so wish, to drive a vehicle along the street. This is our main shopping area and therefore should be considered as a site where crowds may gather."
