Wednesbury Town Centre continues to benefit from the Levelling Up Partnership, with the opening of a new community square following recent enhancements to community safety.
The main phase of public realm improvements in Wednesbury was completed in June, marked by a special planting event at the newly created Ethelfleda Square, where pupils from St John’s Church of England Primary Academy took part in the celebrations.
Ethelfleda Square is named in honour of Queen Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great, who fortified Wednesbury during Anglo-Saxon times. The name pays tribute to her leadership and historical significance. Students from Wood Green Academy played a key role in selecting the name, reflecting the town’s rich heritage.
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, said: “The council wants to thank residents, visitors, and businesses for their patience during the main works. The square will provide a new focal point for Wednesbury that everyone can be proud of. My special thanks to the children of St John’s and Wood Green schools for taking part in naming and opening our new space and choosing a name which reminds us of Wednesbury’s important history.
The completion of Ethelfleda Square follows the installation and enhancement of 26 fixed CCTV cameras and eight deployable units across Wednesbury and Friar Park. These security upgrades have already supported police investigations, contributing to arrests related to theft and burglary.
Maria Jardine, Board Chair of the Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership added: ''The Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership Board is please to reach this milestone. We want more people to use the town centre and for residents to have a better experience of living and working in the town."
Improvement works are continuing at other key sites, including Hydes Road Playing Fields, the Friar Park Millennium Centre, and the Friar Park Urban Village.
The Levelling Up Partnership – focused on the Wednesbury area of Sandwell – builds on existing regeneration plans, backed by a £20.4 million investment. Sandwell is among the first councils in the country to benefit from this initiative, adding to the more than £107 million already secured through the Towns Fund and Levelling Up Fund.
The partnership will support a range of community priorities, including the delivery of new homes, tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, enhancing green spaces and public areas, improving Wednesbury town centre, and expanding the Millennium Centre to boost access to skills and employment opportunities.