17 Jan 2011

The main contractors behind preparatory works for the £250 million Southwater regeneration have begun major work on site. From Monday December 6, security fencing will go up around parts of the site signalling the start of major works to prepare Southwater for massive investment. Telford & Wrekin Council earlier this week appointed McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd based in Hortonwood, Telford as the main contractors for the work and they will be putting up fencing and making a site base from Monday.

Before Christmas they will begin one of the most visible signs of the development to date - draining the Southwater Lake. The lake will then be filled in to create a development plot for the Council’s new Civic Offices. A new lake of equivalent size will be built alongside the new Civic Offices building.

Fish from the lake have already been relocated to Withy Pool earlier in the year. Ecologists have confirmed that ducks, moorhens and other birds will relocate of their own accord once the works start. These initial works, which will completely transform the Southwater area of the town centre, focus on getting the site ready for major public and private sector investment over the next 10-15 years to create a true heart to the town.

The contractors will over the next year be preparing sites for development with this phase of works due to finish in November 2011.

Council leader Andrew Eade said: “This another very exciting and important step forward for the Southwater programme which from Monday will start to be much more visible. Work on the ground will, I am sure, help people to understand what is happening and our vision for the area and will signify that this is no longer something that is just talked about but something very real. This first significant step will be followed by the Council’s new Civic Offices which have been so key to kickstarting this process, due to open in 2013.”

Tom Gray, CEO of Southwater Event Group added: “Our ambition is to cement The International Centre’s position as one of the best event venues in the UK, but to do this, we need to see the development of the town’s infrastructure.

“The council’s mixed use civic offices, which will include bars and restaurants, will help to create a thriving night time economy, and this will help us to make Telford an even more attractive destination for people to visit.”

While the work is continuing, access will be maintained to all businesses and facilities including The International Centre, the Ice Rink, Mecca Bingo, Ten Pin Bowling, Wonderland, Telford Library, Meeting Point House, Credit Union, Wilkinsons, the Town Park and Telford Shopping Centre.

The £250m Southwater development will transform an area of the town centre, running from the shopping centre to The International Centre, with the aim of creating a major regional leisure and business attraction.

It will include office space, a new library, two new hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, a leisure hub with a space for a leisure pool and multi screen cinema.

There will also be hundreds of homes including apartments and town houses, a community medical facility and a new Meeting Point House.

The Southwater development is a partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council, the Southwater Event Group and the Homes and Communities Agency.