Walsall Market work finally set to start
It has hit significant delays – but work is now finally due to start on a new £1.75 million permanent home for Walsall Market.
The long-awaited project will finally get going by the end of the year, it has emerged.
The improved pitch has been held back due to Network Rail carrying out the electrification of the line running through the town centre.
The new-look market around The Bridge will include 70 stalls, which will be removable to create a public open space when not operating.
The historic 800-year-old event will also be capable of opening for seven days a week rather than the current five. Under the plans, the statue of nursing heroine Sister Dora, could be installed at the junction of Bradford Street, Park Street and The Bridge.
Council bosses said the idea of repositioning the monument is so that it will be in a place where more people will see it and learn about the history of the town.
In a report to full council, deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: "Work on the new Walsall Market is expected to commence in the next few months which will help to revitalise a popular and traditional feature of the town centre, this has been delayed through complications due to Network Rail."
It emerged last year that work to rebuild a bridge underneath Park Street would cause delays in the project. It forms part of the £30m electrification of the rail line between Walsall and Rugeley.
Spokesman for Network Rail, Jon Crampton said: "Work to rebuild the railway bridge on Park Street is due to start in October. At the end of November all work will be suspended in the build up to and over Christmas and will resume again in January 2016, being completed by Easter 2016."
Figures recently showed more than a quarter of stalls are currently empty and it is hoped more traders will be drawn to the new pitch.
