Plans to pedestrianise part of Wolverhampton city centre could be scaled back after funding blow
A major plan to pedestrianise parts of Wolverhampton city centre will have to be scaled back following a funding blow from the Government, council bosses said today.
The city council has been awarded £15.7 million for the scheme, but the total falls "way short" of the £23.8m that had been hoped for.
Parts of the project to make Victoria Street, Skinner Street, Salop Street and School Street, as well as the area around the Civic Halls, traffic free could now be in jeopardy.
Bosses are keen to regenerate the run-down part of the city centre and had hoped the cash from the Future High Streets fund would allow them to do this, and create hundreds of jobs, homes and a hotel.
Council leader Ian Brookfield said he hoped the Government could be persuaded to increase funding for the scheme, otherwise it would have to be scaled back.
He said: “We welcome the Future High Street Funds investment that was announced on Boxing Day.
“However, we are disappointed that the sum awarded falls some way short of the full £23.8 million that we bid for earlier this year.
“We have a strong and compelling vision for the future of our city centre. Unfortunately, the shortfall means we will have to scale back our plans unless the Government is prepared to have further discussions over how we can achieve full funding.
“This would allow us to deliver our full plans which contribute to the Government’s levelling up agenda which we wholeheartedly support.”
The Future High Street Fund bid was described as a “catalyst to attract further investment to the city” when submitted earlier this year.
Elsewhere, Kidderminster has been awarded £20m and Brierley Hill £9.7m. There was no cash for Sandwell Council.
Pat McFadden, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East, also told of his disappointment at the amount of cash awarded to the city.
He said: "Any extra funding is welcome after the tough time our high streets have had over the past year but the amount announced for Wolverhampton is significantly less than we bid for.
"This will meant the city has to revise downwards what will be done compared to a fully funded bid."
