Vision of future is revealed

Telford is poised to transform itself from new town to modern city of 200,000 people, becoming a jobs and leisure powerhouse of the West Midlands, council chiefs claimed today.

Telford is poised to transform itself from new town to modern city of 200,000 people, becoming a jobs and leisure powerhouse of the West Midlands, council chiefs claimed today.It would boast a lively centre, with bustling night life and cultural attractions, while Telford Town Park would rival New York's Central Park for its "stunning" green environment.

A sports village would be created around Telford College and AFC Telford United, and Ironbridge Gorge would become a world-beating tourist attraction.

Newport would become one of the most desirable housing hotspots in the whole of Britain, while Wellington, Oakengates, Dawley and Madeley would be thriving district centres.

Telford would become a "learning city", a national pace-setter when it comes to new technology, with schools, colleges and businesses in the area working together to equip people with the skills needed in the 21st century.

And thousands of new, well-paid jobs and homes would be created.

The ambitious wish-list is part of the latest draft version of Vision 2026, a long-term strategy for the development of the borough over the next 20 years.

Currently out for consultation, it spells out in detail the aspirations of Telford & Wrekin Strategic Partnership, which brings together the main players in both public and private sectors.

For the first time, Telford & Wrekin is described as a "city" in its own right - as well as being part of the new West Midlands City Region.

The vision - which will be used to support multi-million pound bids for funding - also says Telford International Centre will have a new auditorium.

And a "major change" to Telford will be new opportunities for people to live in and around the city centre.

The groundbreaking document declares: "Telford today is a town in transition to a modern city."

"There are huge opportunities for the future which need to be grasped to enable Telford to become an important city in its own right and for it to play a major regenerative and growth role in the West Midlands," it adds.

Borough council spokesman David Morgan said today: "We will be taking all consultation comments and views on board and it is likely to be published towards the end of October."

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