A visitor centre, cafe and toilet block are set to be built at the foot of the Wrekin in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games, it was revealed yesterday.
The ambitious plans are being developed to protect the Wrekin Forest and make the site more attractive. And is has been announced that the attraction is to be named the Northern Gateway to the Shropshire Hills.
Mayor of Wellington, Councillor Denis Allen, who is heavily involved with the project, said it was important the scheme was finished in time for the 2012 Olympics.
It is hoped many Olympic visitors will come to Shropshire and Much Wenlock, the birthplace of the modern games.
Before grant applications can be made to fund the scheme, a new organisation called Wrekin Forest Partnership is in the process of being officially formed.
It will include Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire County County, All Friends Round The Wrekin, Wellington Town Council and Shropshire Hills of Outstanding National Beauty.
Councillor Allen said the visitor centre with a cafe and toilets was likely to be placed at the site of the old Forest Glen cafe.
He said the scheme would create a small number of jobs and boost the economy of the area.
“The aim is to keep it beautiful but at the same time have people able to use it - walkers, cyclists, horse-riders,” said Councillor Allen.
“We want people to enjoy it without destroying it.”
“We want it to be ready by 2011, ready for the tourism rush for the Olympics. People will come to Shropshire because of Much Wenlock.
“We are expecting lots of people to want to come here and we need to have The Wrekin organised.”
He said applications would be made for funding to Advantage West Midlands and other grant-giving bodies once the partnership was launched.
Pete Lambert, Wrekin Forest project officer of Shropshire Wildlife Trust, has drawn up plans detailing ways to preserve the forest and provide more facilities for visitors.
It is hoped that landowners, councils and residents can be encouraged to work together.
A meeting of interested parties is to take place on December 3 to further discuss the plans and drawings.
By Lizzie Yates
5 Comments
What a waste of money!!
“The Northern Gateway to the Shropshire Hills” - who the heck thought of that one, a lone isolated hill - get real.
I expect paul goldie doesnt live in telford or hasnt been up the wrekin, that area at the foot of the wrekin needs sorting out, theres plenty of space for people to park there cars and build a cafe, and it would be better for people when they come down the wrekin to have a sit down and for when they set off up the wrekin, theres a lot of history around that area. Im glad its getting sorted.
in time for the 2012 Olympics??
It’s a long walk from london to use the toilet isn’t it?
On a seious note though the amount of litter needs to be sorted out, in the carparks and on the wrekin itself.
While providing a cafe and toilet facilities may make a visit to the Wrekin more enjoyable for some, it will not protect the hill from vandals, rubbish dumpers and people on motorbikes. Maybe it would be better to employ wardens and litter collectors to encourage people to treat the site with respect.