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Walsall Town Centre Connected Gateway Project

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Walsall Town Centre Connected Gateway Project

Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5billion programme of investment that will transform the borough; creating over 4000 jobs and over 1000 new homes. 

With an £11.4m investment from the Future High Street Fund, together with investment from Walsall Council, we will now be able to deliver the early phases of the town centre masterplan through the Walsall Town Centre Connected Gateway project.

The same shopping centre, but a CGI that shows how it might look after construction. The entrance has been improved with large windows to let in more light. The walls either side have wood cladding and the signs read Walsall Saddlers Centre. There is more greenery to the right including a large tree and the building looks more vibrant.
The front of a shopping centre. The ground is red brick and there are grey steps in front of the building. The entrance is also red brick with a pale grey section in the middle above the doors. The sign says 'Saddlers Centre' in blue. There are a few people walking around outside and to the right is a grey brick planter with greenery in.

This is an exciting and transformative project that will;

  • create a public transport gateway that improves connections between the town’s bus and rail hubs.
  • enhance the presence of Walsall Rail Station by improving accessibility to it and the arrival experience into the town centre.
  • modernise and repurpose the Saddlers Shopping Centre and diversify the uses within the centre, and
  • transform the public realm in the heart of Park Street.
The same building, this time a CGI that shows an improved entrance with large glass doors.
A red brick building with steps leading up towards a door, above which is a white sign that says Walsall with a red railway symbol.
BeforeAfter

Construction is due to commence in Summer/Autumn 2024 with a proposed completion by 2027. 

The project aims to:

  • increase footfall
  • improve the environment through greenery and high quality public realm 
  • introduce a new offer to boost the economy
The same view, however in this CGI rendering, two of the buildings have removed, making the passageway wider so that there is a clear view of the bus station. There is more greenery, with grass and trees lining the walkway.
Looking out across Park Street in Walsall town centre, the ground is red brick and there is a row of buildings containing various shops. There is a small passageway between two of the buildings.
BeforeAfter

The planning application is due for submission in Spring/Summer 2024. Ahead of this we invite you to comment on the proposed visuals by Thursday 21 March 2024.

There will also be further opportunity to provide feedback through the formal consultation period, which will take place as part of the planning application process.  

Proposed design for the Saddlers Centre entrance, with wood cladding either side of large glass doors. There is a tree and greenery on the right
Connected Gateway - Proposed view through refurbished Park Mall through to Rail Concourse (concept visual).
Connected Gateway - View from Saddlers Centre / Walsall Rail Station entrance through to St Pauls Bus Station via new public square (concept visual).
Connected Gateway - view from St Paul's Bus Station through to Saddlers Centre / Rail Station Entrance (concept visual)
Connected Gateway - Aeriel view of new public square and revamped section of Park Street (concept visual).
A view of Park Street showing the former M&S on the right which will be transformed into an adult learning centre

FAQs

Yes, Walsall Rail Station will remain open and access to the Rail Station will be maintained throughout.  Alternative routes to platforms and the rail concourse will be provided if needed during construction.

The Saddlers Centre will remain open during the refurbishment works at Bradford Mall. However, during the 2nd phase of construction, there are likely to be restrictions on movement and temporary closure of retail units in Park Mall, but the remainder of the Saddlers Centre is expected to remain open.

Shops and businesses will need to close temporarily whilst construction works in Park Mall are being carried out.  These businesses will be relocated to alternative units on a temporary basis within the centre, where possible

Yes, however during certain phases of construction on Park Street, there may be diversions in place for pedestrians to move between Park Street and St Pauls Bus Station.

It is not expected that train services will be disrupted whilst the work takes place.

In order to improve the connectivity between the bus station and the rail station in Walsall town centre, this project is proposing to remove the buildings at 38-46 Park Street and buildings opposite St Paul’s bus station, although this will be subject to consultation and planning permission.

This would change the Butler’s Passage route into a wider plaza, with planting, sitting areas and much more open space, making it easier and more pleasant for residents and visitors to walk around the town centre.

Three quarters of parking in Walsall Town Centre is privately operated, and parking fees are at the discretion of the landowners. There are no plans to make the small number of town centre council carparks free of charge.

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