The streets of Wellington are to get a dramatic make-over after officials pledged to plough an extra £1.1 million into the town.
The cash will be put into a new ‘exciting’ town centre project with art pieces, high quality paving, new walkways, street furniture and trees.
Council leader, Andrew Eade, said: “Wellington is an historic town which is about to undergo a dramatic transformation to the benefit of residents and visitors alike.”
The project, planned to begin next spring, will see new walkways linking Wellington’s medieval centre with the main town car parks.
Block paving, already in Bell Street, Duke Street and Crown Street, will be extended along New Street, Market Square and outside Rasputin’s pub.
A commorative metal tree guard, inscribed with poetry, will mark the poet Phillip Larkin’s sojourn in Wellington library.
Another memorial, described as a ‘spectacular new piece of artwork’, will be placed in Market Street to mark the discovery of foxgloves as a heart medicine by Wellington-born Dr William Withering in the 18th Century.
Councillor Eade said: “This latest announcement seeks to take the regeneration a step further, creating an attractive centre for shoppers and visitors and a chance to mark the famous faces who have helped to put Wellington on the map historically.
“£1.1 million is another major investment and Wellington will start to see some really exciting changes come to fruition over the next two years.”
Dave Riley, President of Wellington Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is fabulous news for Wellington. Telford & Wrekin Council are showing wonderful commitment to regeneration of borough towns.
“The transformation of the streets for central Wellington will make a huge difference.
“Wellington will be attractive, inviting and safe.
“This is particularly good news on the back of the other regeneration schemes currently in place.
“It sends out a very positive signal to the business community that Wellington is a centre of opportunity.”
The scheme, funded by the Borough Towns Initiative, will undergo public consultations early in the new year.
A current £8 million regeneration scheme being carried out includes a new library and register office, improvements to Wellington Leisure Centre and new offices for up to 200 people.