Canal to be upgraded as part of urban village

A SECTION of canal improved as part of an lage’ regeneration.

The Bilston Urban Village regeneration scheme will see work on a kilometre of the Bradley Arm of the Main Line Canal towpath.

The section between Highfields Road and Dudley Street will be improved with a wider surfaced path.

And it will provide existing residents and those from the new housing development with an is to be ‘urban vil- attractive traffic-free route to work, school or the local shops.

The work is being carried out in partnership with the Canal and River Trust.

It follows completion of the first phase between Deepfields Junction and Highfields Road, thanks to funding from the Local Growth Fund.

Keren Jones, City of Wolverhampton Council director for City Economy, said: “This investment is an important part of the work the council and its partners are undertaking to regenerate and stimulate prosperity and growth in Bilston, and to bring about significant environmental improvements for existing and future residents.”

Peter Mathews, chair of the Canal and River Trust’s West Midlands Waterway Partnership, said: “Canal and River Trust are working with a range of partners, including City of Wolverhampton Council, to help regenerate areas.

“These improvements are an excellent example of the role that canals can play in helping to link communities.

“They provide local people with a fantastic clean, green traffic-free route.

“Once finished, the local community will be able to get closer to nature, take in their local history and stay healthy as part of their daily lives.”

The path will link with existing cycling and walking routes in the area.