Regeneration
Planning permission for Walsall waterfront footbridge granted
Published on
On Thursday 5 September 2024, Walsall’s planning committee approved the proposals for a new footbridge that aims to improve connectivity in Walsall Town Centre.
The footbridge will provide better pedestrian access from the town centre to the waterside retail park, with the footbridge due to be installed close to the Light Cinema.
“ I’m pleased that planning permission has been granted for the canal footbridge, it will make it easier for people to travel around the town centre for leisure and work purposes and, especially between the waterfront apartments and Crown Wharf retail park.
We are working on a series of schemes in the town centre and across the wider borough that will improve access for people who need to walk, cycle and use public transport around Walsall. Improvements have already been made to canal towpaths across the borough, and this footbridge is another piece of the jigsaw that will improve connectivity and create opportunities for local people. “
Walsall Council has been working in partnership with the Canal & River Trust to improve the borough’s canals and to attract boaters to the canal basin area in the town centre. A series of improvements are in the pipeline, including the installation of the footbridge, that should encourage more boats to moor in Walsall’s town centre canal basin.
Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5billion programme of transformation, with funding secured to improve the borough and create housing and employment opportunities.
This project is part of a series of town centre improvements funded through the Government’s Towns Fund, with all schemes set to be completed by 2026.
Other improvements to the town centre will include a new hub for businesses in the creative industries in the former Guildhall building, which will be refurbished, as well as the transformation of the Saddlers Centre and Park Street area to improve linkages between the bus station and train station in the town centre.
More information about all the town centre projects and plans can be found on the council website
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