Transformation of Worcester Street now underway in Kidderminster Town Centre
News release issued:
The new look town centre is set to become a reality as work starts on site to transform the Worcester Street area of Kidderminster.
Shropshire based building and civil engineering contractors McPhillips (Wellington) Limited is starting work to deliver Wyre Forest District Council’s Connectivity Project which will completely change the look and feel of Worcester Street and the surrounding public spaces.
The Worcester Street connectivity scheme involves creating a wide and well-spaced set of steps with an accessible pathway leading from Worcester Street up to Bromsgrove Street. This completely new open green space will include a children’s play area and seating along the winding pathway to enable people to meet there and stay a while in this space.
This project is being funded through the Government’s Future High Street Fund and is being progressed by Wyre Forest District Council.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda said:
“It’s great to see work is starting on site to realise this part of the Council’s adopted vision for Kidderminster. Although this project covers a relatively small area, its impact will be massive for the whole of this area of town.
“As well as connecting the town centre to Bromsgrove Street, a key aspect of this scheme is that it connects this area of town with the next phase of regeneration which is on the former Forest Glades site. There is a feasibility study taking place now to help us determine the most appropriate use for this site, both now and for the future.
McPhillips (Wellington) Limited Contract Director Stuart MacKenzie said: “We’re very excited to be able to play such an integral role in this “once in a lifetime” transformational project. The scheme will transform this part of Kidderminster, making it more accessible and attracting more residents, more workers, and more visitors to the town centre”.
The main body of work will be completed by the end of this year with green landscaping to follow in Spring 2025.
Commentary by Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council:
It's great to be here in Bromsgrove Street at the back of where the old Woolworths and Littlewoods were. It’s an exciting day, because the next phase of the Connectivity Project to open up this area of Kidderminster is commencing today.
Behind me will be the urban park and it will link up to Bromsgrove Street, because we've got a fantastic plan to regenerate this area of Kidderminster.
The plan is for the work to be completed and the park to open in spring 2025.
Commentary by Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration:
It's really encouraging that we're here today, seeing the start of the development of the green space in the Town Centre. Critically, the main element of this project is to connect the Town Centre to the former Glades site, which is directly behind me. There's a live feasibility study for this site going on at the moment, and that will be the next phase of the regeneration of Kidderminster Town Centre.
Commentary by Stuart Mackenzie, Contracts Director at McPhillips (Wellington Ltd):
McPhillips are very proud to be part of this new scheme in Kidderminster, which will be offering design and build opportunities to improve the local area and its connectivity.
The overall scheme will be bringing a much needed open space and link to the main Town Centre.