I took to the streets of struggling Wolverhampton neighbourhood to find out where £20m should go

Wolverhampton’s Whitmore Reans is set to receive a notable overhaul over the coming years as the region is awarded £20 million as part of the government’s ‘Pride in Place’ initiative.

The government funding will be granted over a ten-year period and will support both early, visible improvements and long-term regeneration, designed ‘with and for residents’.

The transformation programme was announced last week, with newly appointed Chair of the Whitmore Reans and Dunstall Hill Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, Tom Hayden, saying that it is a ‘fantastic opportunity’ to make a difference in the community.

So, with £20 million in our back pocket, we visited Whitmore Reans to see where the locals think the money would be best spent.

Mohamed Shuhail, aged 19, of the area, said: “I don’t think that this area would even cost the full £20 million to renovate. I think that money would be better spent elsewhere, like on healthcare or crime.

“This area has a very high crime rate, so I think we should really be focusing on reducing that and giving the young people the opportunity to go around and play and grow up in a safe area where they aren’t worried about being robbed or worse.”

Alexander, aged 42, from Whitmore Reans, said that the area has an issue with drug abuse, and that at least a portion of the £20m should also go towards reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

He said: “This area needs something good for the children and young people.

“It’s a dangerous area, a very dangerous area. There are a lot of people around here using alcohol and drugs. The money should be used to make the area safer.”

Others in the area said that the region needs another park, and somewhere for children to safely play.

Zaibatsu Umbasis, aged 29, of Whitmore Reans, said: “I think we need another park. We only have this one, and I never see any children using it.

“We need another park for the children to use and enjoy. This area can be stressful, so it would help to give the young ones something to enjoy.”

The money will be granted to the region over a period of ten years, with Wolverhampton Council ensuring that residents voices will ‘lead decision making’ during the process of regenerating the area.