Turner & Townsend's on-going consultancy support to Advantage West Midlands as part of a programme designed to create a 220-acre Business Park near Wolverhampton continues with the completion of work to the canal tow path works next to the site.

The £170 million regeneration scheme, called 'i54' locally, is a joint venture between regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and the Councils of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire to develop a first class business base in the Midlands for top name companies, in a move that would bring 6,000 jobs to the region.

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As part of the development programme, the tow paths for the Shropshire Union Canal which link to Wobaston Road have been renovated and re-constructed using sub-base, tarmac and a resin bound anti-slip surface to provide a good surface year round to anglers and the public.

The materials used in restructuring the tow path were sympathetically chosen to fit in with the semi-rural landscape and the path verges have been planted with further trees and shrubs alongside an ornamental pond, which will ensure users of the tow path have a more positive environmental experience. In addition, the entrance to and end of the path have RADAR gates allowing access to a wide range of pedestrians, bikes and wheelchairs.

The local community is the key beneficiary of the work carried out. Future work will connect this footpath through the site to the canal providing a circular walk and a route for pedestrians and cyclists to access the future development.

(JM)