Council reveals name for new Telford Town Centre square

The name for a brand-new public square in Telford has been revealed by the council.

The new square, which is located at the centre of Telford Town Centre’s Station Quarter, will now be known as the Betty Harris Square, Telford and Wrekin Council has said.

Betty Harris was a famous pit girl who worked the coal mines of Lancashire in the 19th century.

Despite her not being from Telford, the council has said her story draws parallels with what thousands of female coal miners from East Shropshire went through during the same period.

Talking about the naming of the new square, Councillor Lee Carter, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said: “Although Betty Harris was not from Telford itself, her story has become synonymous with the experiences of Shropshire's pit girls and working women across our historic coalfield communities – including those working the banks in Oakengates, Madeley and Dawley whose names are unknown.

"She represents a generation whose contribution is often overlooked but was fundamental to our area's industrial success.”

The square’s new name was publicly voted for out of a selection of other notable women from history with connections to the area.

Excluding Betty Harris, this included Sarah Darby, Mary Rathbone, Elizabeth Poole, Julie Salmon, Sarah Guppy and Abia Darby.

Councillor Carter went on to say: “More than 1,000 people took part in the vote and chose Betty Harris Square as the winning name.

"That level of support shows how strongly local people feel about celebrating the lives of ordinary women whose extraordinary determination helped build the foundations of modern Shropshire.

"Betty Harris Square will not only honour that legacy but will also provide a new focal point at the heart of Station Quarter for generations to come."

The Betty Harris Square was designed and managed by the Council's highways team.

Construction was undertaken by G&N Groundworks and Balfour Beatty Living Places.

Nobridge Nurseries put the finishing touches to the square by carrying out new planting and landscaping.

Betty Harris’ biography has been placed in the square for educational purposes and the council has said that an official naming ceremony will be held in the future, with members of the Harris family invited to be present.

The square’s completion coincides with the opening of Telford College’s new Station Quarter sixth form campus.

Telford 6th, as the campus is known, was opened earlier this month.

The Station Quarter project has been redeveloping land between the town centre and Telford Central railway station.

Councillor Lee said: “Station Quarter represents the future of Telford, bringing new educational opportunities, jobs and investment into our town centre.

"But as we build for future generations, it's important that we also recognise the people whose hard work and resilience helped shape the communities we know today.”