It was great to see diggers on the ground at the new YMCA development on the former Cleveland Road bus garage site in Ettingshall. Last week, I joined their service of blessing at the site at the Bishop of Lichfield led us in prayer and we gave thanks for the opportunities that future YMCA site is going to give to local residents.
The new £21M development will include the delivery of a retail unit, nursery, YMCA offices, and 63 units of accommodation.
The Cleveland Road site will become a new gateway to the city, featuring open space and a large pedestrianised area.
Linked to this area is the proposed Cleveland Boulevard project. This will see investment into the public realm, creating a high quality setting for the residential development planned on both sides of the road, and leading to a safe pedestrian crossing of the ring road into the city centre. This proposal forms part of the Council’s discussions with the Black Country LEP.
It is among a number of major projects in the pipeline for Wolverhampton, including the Westside development and a scheme to pedestrianise Lichfield Street.
I am proud to be a Governance member of the YMCA Black Country Group and I was pleased to join their service last week.
I’ve spoken to local residents who are equally excited that the vision is beginning to come to life.
The new development will provide much-needed facilities in Ettingshall including housing for young people, a nursery and a retail unit. I’m very excited to work in partnership with the YMCA to help this new venture develop.