A multi-million-pound scheme to regenerate Brierley Hill High Street has been given a further boost following a West Midlands Combined Authority investment to help improve the town centre’s connectivity and integration.

Work has now started on building a new pedestrian link between the High Street and Merry Hill after the WMCA invested £205,000 to purchase land for the new walking route.

The scheme is being undertaken by Dudley Council as part of the second phase of its wider £5m High Street regeneration project made possible thanks to funding received from the Government through the Future High Street Fund and Historic England through the Brierley Hill High Street Heritage Action Zone.

The first phase at Brierley Hill War Memorial was recently completed and this second tranche of work will not only include the new pedestrian link but also improvements to the green outside Brierley Hill Civic Hall, a refurbishment of the town’s library, upgraded public toilets, new seating, plants, trees and cycle facilities. This second phase is expected to be completed by March 2024.

The new pedestrian link, which will remove an eyesore derelict site next to the Brier Rose pub, is just the latest investment to be made by the WMCA as part of its work with Dudley and other councils to help breathe new life into the region’s high streets and town centres, many of which have been hit hard in recent years by the rise in online shopping and the pandemic. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said:

“We need to support our high streets and encourage residents to buy locally and support businesses and our regional economy. That means creating attractive town centres and high streets that people want to visit.

“It’s no secret that our high streets have been through some challenging times over the last few years but by backing projects like this one we can breathe new life into these important locations, helping them maintain their traditional role as the beating heart of local communities.”

Cllr Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, added: “We are continuing with our work to rejuvenate Brierley Hill High Street and we very much welcome the support of the WMCA.

“We are working closely in conjunction with the Mayor and combined authority to ensure the promise to deliver the Metro from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill High Street is delivered in full.

“The work will see a derelict site become an attractive area that can be used by pedestrians, providing an important link from the High Street to Little Cottage Street where the new Midland Metro stop terminus will eventually be located.

“Our £5 million regeneration scheme in Brierley Hill includes the refurbishment of the High Street, Brierley Hill Library, upgraded public toilets and new cycle facilities, seating, plants and trees.”

The Investment is being made as part of the WMCA’s nationally leading housing and regeneration programme which, in partnership with industry, is regenerating hundreds of acres of run-down urban plots and derelict industrial sites to deliver new homes, jobs and commercial spaces for local people and businesses.

This ‘brownfield first’ approach is also helping to reduce pressure to build in the region’s Green Belt.