Two new cranes dominate Wolverhampton's skyline as £83 million Smithgate scheme gathers pace

Two giant cranes are the latest addition to the Wolverhampton skyline as a £83 million scheme to build 331 new homes in the city centre gathers pace.

The huge cranes have been installed at the site of the former market square off School Street, marking the first phase of the city’s Smithgate regeneration scheme.

The first phase of the scheme, known as Bicycle Works, will see the construction of 331 new homes along with retail units and public spaces overlooking Market Square.

The scheme is backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has contributed £18 million towards the cost of the scheme, with the remaining £65 million coming from private developers.

Once all phases are completed, the wider Smithgate scheme will cover 12 acres of land linking School Street and Darlington Street to the area around Market Square. It will include up to 1,000 homes and 20,000 square feet of shops, cafés, commercial space and landscaped public areas.

Contractors moved onto the site in February, but the new cranes represent a significant development.

Basit Ali, development director at English Cities Fund which is working with Wolverhampton Council on the scheme, said: “Delivery of the first phase of Smithgate, Bicycle Works, is moving at real pace and Wolverhampton's skyline is now seeing the impact.

“Spades are in the ground for the first 331 new homes, and with cranes being installed residents and visitors to the city are starting to see tangible change in this part of Wolverhampton.

“Smithgate has never been just about new homes, it's a plan to re-invigorate the city centre and this is an important milestone."

Construction of the Bicycle Works scheme is expected to be complete by 2028.

Ray O’Sullivan, regional managing director of contractor Caddick Construction Midlands, added: “This is an exciting chapter in Wolverhampton’s regeneration story, and a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through strong public-private partnership.