Council bosses today told West Midlands Mayor Andy Street how a £41million bid for funding will boost transport, retail and tourism in Dudley borough.

Dudley Council  today (September 19) welcomed the region’s Mayor, Andy Street, as he embarked on a whistle stop tour of Dudley borough to find out how investment and regeneration will transform the fortunes of one of the country’s largest metropolitan boroughs. 

During the visit, the leader of the council, Councillor Patrick Harley, set out the proposals to bid for £41million in order to continue plans to breathe new life into Dudley town centre.

If the council successfully secures the funding, it will be used to support a number of key regeneration projects in the town centre including the leisure, retail and residential redevelopment of the Cavendish House site, the development of the Metro and bus interchange, enhancing the visitor economy by investing in the access to the Castle Hill visitor attractions and improving historic buildings. The funds will lever in an additional £100million in match-funding and private sector investment.

During the tour, council bosses also updated Mr Street on big projects including the very light rail innovation centre and details to transform the Waterfront including the introduction of the music institute and Metro stops. Dudley College Principal Lowell Williams talked of the impressive developments at Dudley College, including the new ‘Advance II’ building and plans for a new University Centre focussing on the new technologies that Very Light Rail will bring. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“It’s great to see an authority with ambition and a clear plan to work with key partners, businesses and developers to boost the local economy and drive forward change.  During my visit today, I have seen for myself the difference investment and regeneration has made in Dudley town centre and I strongly support the authority’s plans.” Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:

“It’s been a pleasure to welcome Mr Street to the historic capital of the Black Country.  We’ve got a lot to be proud of in Dudley, our heritage and culture sets us apart along with the significant progress we have made in recent years to transform areas of the borough, particularly Dudley town centre.

“But we know there’s more to do and we are absolutely committed to making it happen.  It’s essential we get this funding to support the private sector and the economy to help get some key projects off the ground.”