The restoration of the Grade II listed Sedgley Beacon tower has reached another major milestone, with scaffolding now removed to reveal the fully repointed structure.
The works form part of the second phase of improvements to the landmark site, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and led by Dudley Council in partnership with the Friends of Sedgley Beacon.
The project aims to preserve the historic tower and improve opportunities for future public access.
The removal of the scaffolding has revealed the results of extensive repointing works to the sandstone tower, helping to protect the structure for future generations while enhancing its appearance.
Meanwhile, contractors have successfully reinstated 17 missing stone steps within the tower's spiral staircase, a significant achievement in the ongoing restoration programme.
The reinstatement of the staircase marks an important step towards the long-term ambition of opening up greater access to the tower.
While the majority of the missing staircase has now been restored, a further seven missing steps were identified at the very top of the tower once scaffolding was erected. Dudley Council is currently seeking additional external funding to enable these final steps to be reinstated.
Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: "It is fantastic to see Sedgley Beacon looking so impressive following the completion of these latest restoration works.
"The repointing has significantly improved the appearance and condition of the tower, while the successful installation of 17 replacement stone steps is a major milestone in our efforts to safeguard this important historic landmark.
"We remain committed to completing the restoration of the staircase and are exploring opportunities to secure further funding for the final seven steps."
Councillor David Stanley, chair of the Friends of Sedgley Beacon, said: "The transformation is remarkable. With the scaffolding removed, people can now fully appreciate the work that has taken place and just how much the tower has benefited from the investment.
"The reinstatement of the staircase is another significant achievement and literally brings us a step closer to our ambition of increasing access to this iconic local landmark."
The council is also planning to host a heritage open day at Sedgley Beacon in September in partnership with the Friends of Sedgley Beacon.
The event will give members of the public a rare opportunity to step inside the tower and learn more about its history, significance and ongoing restoration.
Further details of the heritage open day will be announced in due course.
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