Telford & Wrekin Council is poised to make one of the most important decisions in its existence this week – pressing ahead with a multi-million plan to transform the town centre.
The Central Telford Area Action Plan outlines in detail the authority’s aim to create a 21st century heart for the borough, with dozens of new shops and offices and 2,500 homes being provided.
The plan is a scheme to give Telford a proper centre to replace the existing shopping malls surrounded by car parks.
It covers shopping, jobs, homes and leisure, outlining the vision of bringing life and vitality to the town centre day and night.
The planning blueprint also looks at ways of cutting the reliance on cars, following criticism that the existing shops are surrounded by a “racetrack” ring road in a sea of car parks.
It outlines ways in which people will be encouraged to get to and from the town centre on foot, by bike or public transport.
The plan also looks at the natural environment and how the town park can be protected for future generations as well as linking in more with the town centre.
And it examines ways in which the character of Old Park, Central Park, Malinslee and Hollinswood can be secured.
In his foreword to the plan, Councillor Stephen Bentley, cabinet member for the environment, says: “Over the last 40 years, Telford has grown from being a fledgling new town to become a successful and thriving town of 140,000 people.
“Now is the time to look again at what we want for the future of the borough as a whole and the important role central Telford plays.
“This plan sets a framework within which to bring forward proposals for major development.
“It will help to address the need for housing in the town centre, the limited opportunities for activity in the evening, the unfriendly environment for pedestrians and to improve and protect the town park.”
If the plan is backed at a meeting of the council on Thursday, it will be published, put out for consultation and submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.
By Peter Johnson