Work is started on town revamp

Thursday 22nd October 2009, 2:50PM BST.

Work begins to regenerate Wellington

Work begins to regenerate Wellington

Work has started on a multi-million pound master-plan to regenerate Wellington’s town centre.

The diggers have moved in on the town in a bid to kick start the regeneration works, which are expected to last until 2011.

Councillor Eric Carter, cabinet member for regeneration at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “I am delighted we have been able to commence the work in Wellington.

“The redevelopments and improvements to this area of Wellington will unlock the potential of the town and help bring new economic and social benefits to the community.”

This first phase will see the town’s disused toilets, the former information centre and the 1960/70s extensions to Edgbaston House bulldozed creating a new pedestrian way.

The second phase of the work will not start until January 2010, in a bid to reduce disruption of trade for businesses around Christmas time.

Major construction begins at the end of March 2010 before the swimming pool and leisure centre are refurbished in 2011.

This also includes a new library, register office, entrance, cafeteria and first and second floor offices. It is hoped the project will be finished by July 2011.

Councillor Miles Hosken said: “It is good to see these preparatory works getting under way, the demolition is just the start of a long programme of redevelopment for the town and I am looking forward to seeing the new quarter take shape.”


  1. 1
    English Exile

    Looking at the picture, it looks better already…

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  2. 2
    Richard Boulter

    About time! I’m tired of coming home every night past a terrific eyesore of a building site! Wellington’s my favourite ever town and now we can do it proud!!!

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    kerry williams

    wel said richie – wellington can, and will, be the town of the future!!!!!! Lol!

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  4. 4
    Ethel

    I just found out my great great great grandfather used to live on the exact site shown in the photo! his name was Ernest.

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  5. 5
    JAMES POMME

    good job

    finally we have a t&w council committed to regenration which should be the no 1 priority for this cursed bleak area of 60′s concrete

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  6. 6
    quinny

    yay, good news, presumably they’re knocking down all those charity shops as well.

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  7. 7
    JAMES APPLE

    I AM glad. I’m sure those toilets were used for immoral purposes and DRUGS

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  8. 8
    Billy Bishop

    We’re having a school assembly on monday during which I will be reciting the following poem, which I wrote when I first heard this news about the tremendous renovation project which is determined to change the face of our bedraggled town:

    Benevolent people are changing our town
    Everyone used to say “wellington” & frown
    Losing the Charlton was terribly sad
    Losing the plot makes me terribly mad
    Everyone must be so terribly proud
    Now we’ll say “wellington” & all will be wowed
    Did you know we’re also getting a Starbucks
    Skinny latte makes me put away my numchucks!

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Richard Breeze

    So No 5 thinks that the building work will improve upon what was there before, unless I am mistaken the Council built what was there before, so will they get it right this time – I hope so since it is our money they are spending.

    And I cannot wait to see people complain that when it is all finished that there will be even less parking for customers now than there was before – I suppose we can go to the retail parks.

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  10. 10
    JD

    great news

    it can never be justified to carpet concrete over the shropshrie countryside whilst these urban areas lay dormant and crumbling

    regenerate our old brownfield industrial sites and the ugly bits of the towns NOW for the sake of the countryside

    Report abuse



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