Plans have been submitted to create an attractive new pedestrian walkway linking two streets in Brierley Hill town centre.

If approved, it will be built on derelict eyesore land next to the Brier Rose pub and link together Brierley Hill High Street and Little Cottage Street.

It comes as the first phase of multi-million-pound works to improve Brierley Hill High Street have been completed.

Work has now moved over to the opposite side of the road on the High Street. Pavements have been re-laid on the Market Hall side of the High Street, with walkways now set to be replaced on the Moor Centre side of the town.

It is expected this second phase of works will be complete by the end of the year, with work also set to start this month on improving the green outside Brierley Hill Civic Hall.

Despite the work moving over, the current one-way traffic system will remain in place for traffic travelling towards Dudley.

The £5 million improvements include the refurbishment of Brierley Hill Library and upgrading the public toilets, as well as boosting transport links and access. New seating, plants, trees and cycle facilities will also be installed in a revamp of the busy town centre road. Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of the council, said: 

“I am delighted to see that the first phase of the works has been completed and you can see what a difference it has made to that side of the road along the High Street.

“We’ve now seen plans submitted for a walkway on that side of the road linking the High Street up with Little Cottage Street. It will be built on land that has been derelict for a long time and is an eyesore.

“These refurbishments and upgrades will make Brierley Hill a better place to live, work and shop.

“I would remind people as we move into the second phase over the road that the town centre is still very much open for business, and encourage residents to shop local and support their local traders.”

The works are being funded through the Future High Street Fund and Brierley Hill High Street Heritage Action Zone.

More information on the works is available at regeneratingdudley.org.uk.