Transforming Telford

Carillion JM Ltd has been appointed as the contractor for the next phase of a multi million pound regeneration of a Telford housing estate.

Carillion will be the contractor for the second phase of work, funded by Telford & Wrekin Council and national regeneration agency English Partnerships. It will benefit 435 homes in four streets in west Woodside - Warrensway, Weybridge, Withybrook and Wealdstone.

The contract, valued at £4m, involves improvements to public areas in the four roads. Parking provision will be improved including hard standing parking areas being introduced to many homes, inadequate street lighting will be replaced, and a new shop will be built to replace the existing two shops in Warrensway.

The work will also tackle residents’ requests to make the area safer by lowering speed limits and a Home Zone will be introduced to give higher priority to pedestrians.

Plans, which have been drawn up over the past 12 months following consultations and one to one meetings with residents, have been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council and will go before councillors on February 28.

The first phase of regeneration work around Wyvern and Westbourne was well received with 80% of residents happy or very happy with the look and the quality of the works.

79% felt parking was more secure; 89% believed street lighting had improved and 65% of Westbourne and Wyvern residents felt vehicle speeds had been reduced.

Will Schofield, Regeneration Manager for the Woodside project, said: “The first phase of this work was well received, and I am confident that this new contract will prove equally popular with residents.”

Long-standing Withybrook resident Melvyn Biddulph, who is also a member of the Regeneration Partnership member, said: “I am really pleased that this work is about to start.

“We have been waiting for this for a long time and I am sure it will be welcomed by all the residents in the area.”

Preparatory works have already begun in the area –underground services have been diverted and some trees are being cut down to enable a prompt start to work.

The work is expected to be completed within 15 months.

Derek White, Telford & Wrekin councillor for the Woodside ward, said: “This is another important step forward in our plans for the Woodside estate. I am particularly encouraged how many residents have been involved in the consultation that led to this contract being awarded.”

Paul Spooner, English Partnerships’ Regional Director, said: “We are delighted to support the continuing regeneration of Woodside and the benefits it will bring to the local community.”

ENDS
 

Notes to editors:

• The 10-year £60 million Woodside regeneration project aims to breathe new life into the physical and social environment of the south Telford area. It is being delivered by a partnership of agencies, led by Transforming Telford for Telford & Wrekin Council. It includes national regeneration agency English Partnerships, The Housing Corporation, The Wrekin Housing Trust, Advantage West Midlands and Government Office of the West Midlands through the European Regional Development Fund
• Carillion JM Ltd was appointed by Telford & Wrekin Council following a competitive selection procedure
• For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Jo Cunningham on 07815 913887 or info@jocunningham.co.uk