Images of city centre transformation project revealed

New artist’s impressions of what Wolverhampton city centre could look like have been unveiled ahead of a public consultation.City of Wolverhampton Council’s Westside Link proposal forms part of the city’s ‘Connected Places’ strategy and will limit traffic flows through the centre.The authority has said the designs take account of the need for the city, like many across the UK, to move away from being primarily a retail destination.An exhibition will be held at the Civic Centre weekdays from Monday 8 October until Friday, 26 October, between 9am and 4.30pm, and at the Mander Centre on Saturday 13 October, between 10am and 3pm.The exhibition will showcase the proposals, provide the opportunity to speak to the project leads and give feedback.The first phase will cover Victoria Street, Skinner Street, Salop Street and School Street, and is expected to run from May 2019 to December 2019.t will include the removal of the existing roadway and the creation of a new public square.The second phase incorporates Queen Square, Lichfield Street, Cheapside, Exchange Street and Darlington Street and is planned to run from January 2020 and July 2021.This phase will see the removal of the roadway through Queen Square and Lichfield Street, the creation of a new city square formed around the Prince Albert statue to provide an event space, and the inclusion of mature trees to create an attractive green space within the city centre.The scheme will be supported by funding from a combination of Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, West Midlands Combined Authority, Defra-Air Quality and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.