I54 extension due to complete in summer
A 60-acre extension to a major Midlands business park, which could provide up to 1,700 new jobs, is due to complete works this summer.
Work has continued safely at pace on through the pandemic on the i54 South Staffordshire Western extension.
The western extension access road from the main i54 spine road was completed last spring ahead of schedule.
The western extension at i54, which is located on the county border of Wolverhampton, will deliver up to 100,000 square metres of ready-made development space.
New occupiers could start to arrive in 2022.
Work is continuing on site and to connect services on the Wobaston Road. A bridleway which was closed due to the works has now reopened to the public. The services connection work is due to be completed in June and main onsite works during the summer with soft landscaping and woodland management during the remainder of the year.
The current i54 employment or business park has a workforce of circa 2,500 people, with half of the jobs held by people living within a ten-mile radius.
Staffordshire County Council 's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “The i54 South Staffordshire Western Extension is a huge project for the county council and our partners and we 're pleased work has continued safely on schedule.
“It 's vital that we 're in a position to welcome the site 's occupiers as soon as possible to support our economic recovery post-pandemic. Onsite work is due to be completed in August when we very much hope society is getting back to normal.
“Our Staffordshire Means Back to Business strategy includes delivery of major infrastructure projects and attracting investors which will support job creation. They also generate business rates which in turn helps to fund public services.
“This is further demonstration of the strength and success of our partnership with the City of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire councils. ”
South Staffordshire Council Leader, Councillor Brian Edwards MBE, said: “All of the partners associated with i54 South Staffordshire are committed to supporting the local economy and bringing more jobs and investment to the area.
"Our award-winning work has continued at pace despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the new western extension is well on the way to completion.
"We 're proud to have been involved with the i54 South Staffordshire project since its inception and to see the impact it has made to the local and wider West Midland economy. ”
More than £1 billion has so far been invested in the original i54 site, with 2,700 people employed by multi-national companies JLR, Moog, ISP, Eurofins, ERA and Atlas Copco.
Pictured: i54 extension plans