i54 works progressing ahead of schedule
Work is continuing on the i54 business park on the edge of Wolverhampton which will aim to bring 1,700 new jobs overall when completed.
The major project is said to be running ahead of schedule – with the construction of fully-serviced factory platforms under way.
It comes after the early completion of works to create an access road at i54 South Staffordshire, on the county border with Wolverhampton.
Site clearance, land investigation and testing has already been carried out by workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic – with strict guidelines imposed.
The western extension at the i54 will deliver up to 100,000 square metres of ready-made development platforms for companies at what is a globally-recognised advanced manufacturing employment zone.
The main works are expected to be completed next year and it is anticipated new occupiers could start arriving from 2022, providing around 1,700 new jobs for local residents.
The current i54 site has a workforce of over 2,500 people, with half of the jobs held by people living within a 10-mile radius.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, cabinet member for city economy in Wolverhampton, said the project was "more important than ever" amid the pandemic.
He said: "We see the western extension as critical to the long-term recovery of our local economy after the crisis. Our joint investment at i54 has secured hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and has brought thousands of jobs to the area, with half of employees living within a ten-mile radius. We are now building on the success of what is already one of the UK’s premier advanced manufacturing business parks."
Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council have spearheaded the project – along with the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
