Sandwell Council has completed improvement works to Owen Street in Tipton town centre. The project, funded by government money, has resurfaced roads and pavements, installed new low energy streetlights, repositioned bus stops with new shelters, and added extra pedestrian crossings.
Work began in February and involved reconstructing roads, installing new kerbing, and relaying footpaths. The council managed traffic and pedestrians during the works, including temporary one-way traffic on Owen Street. All traffic management has now finished and the road is fully reopened.
Local jobs and apprenticeships
Contractor McPhillips, which carried out the work, employed a local site team and provided three apprentices with hands-on experience on the Tipton project.
Councillor Ray Nock, Sandwell Council's Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: "We are committed to supporting jobs and boosting our high streets and town centres. Now these works have been completed we encourage people to come along and see what businesses in Tipton have to offer."
Paul Inions, McPhillips Managing Director, added: "The Owen Street project is a scheme that's created real opportunity, with three apprentices gaining hands-on experience and a site team drawn entirely from the local area."
Wider regeneration plans
The Owen Street improvements are part of a larger regeneration project in Tipton town centre backed by £20 million in government funding. This wider scheme will also deliver 70 new council homes.
Over the coming months, the council will work with the owner of Tipton Shopping Centre, Unity Walk, to improve lighting through the precinct. The council also plans to thin out or remove overgrown trees and bushes along the canal walkway off Union Street to make the route safer and more attractive, and to discourage anti-social behaviour.
