Walsall is undergoing a profound transformation, with a colossal £1.5 billion investment programme reshaping the borough. As we enter 2026, over a third of this budget has already been deployed across a mix of completed and ongoing schemes. From the heart of the town centre to its surrounding neighbourhoods, here is the current status of the key projects driving change.
Town Centre Revamp and Transport Links
The ambitious Connected Gateway Project remains a cornerstone of Walsall's renewal, focusing on enhancing the Saddlers Centre and improving pedestrian links between the railway station and St Paul's bus station. A major milestone is imminent, with the demolition of two prominent buildings in the town core scheduled for early 2026.
Progress was visible in 2025, with upgrades completed within the Saddlers Shopping Centre, including the return of the popular Three Men in a Boat automaton and refurbishments to Bradford Mall. The custom-built Sister Dora barge was also launched and is now operational in the canal basin, aiding with maintenance.
Looking ahead, construction of a new footbridge over the canal, connecting waterfront apartments to Crown Wharf Retail Park, will begin in early 2026. Approved in 2024, this link is slated for completion by summer 2026. Meanwhile, work continues on converting the historic Guildhall into a Creative Industries Enterprise Centre, with the Grade II listed building expected to be ready by summer 2026.
In another significant development, Walsall College received planning permission in 2025 to transform the former Marks & Spencer store into an Adult Learning Centre. Works are due to start in June 2026, aiming for a September 2027 opening for students.
Neighbourhood Regeneration and New Infrastructure
In Willenhall, a long-awaited clearance project has faced delays. Deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew vowed in December 2024 that demolition of problematic properties on Villiers Street, Moat Street, New Hall Street, Stafford Street and Temple Bar would begin in 2025. Although preparatory site safety works started in October 2025, the buildings remain as of the new year. The plan is to replace them with 107 new homes to tackle antisocial behaviour and arson.
Concurrently, Willenhall has experienced disruption due to works installing a new segregated cycle lane along Willenhall Road, New Road and Somerford Place. Started in January 2025 and led by Transport for West Midlands, the project is expected to continue until Spring 2026, with lane closures temporarily lifted over the Christmas period.
All eyes are on early 2026 for the opening of the new Willenhall and Darlaston railway stations, now in their final construction stages. The project, delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority, will restore passenger services to both towns for the first time since 1965. It has faced significant challenges, including the collapse of the lead contractor and an unauthorised building in Willenhall, pushing the completion two years past the original deadline and increasing the cost to an estimated £85 million, a third over the initial £59 million budget.
Community Projects and Industrial Development
The Darlaston Plan for Neighbourhoods, a £20 million government levelling-up investment, has been mired in controversy throughout 2025. Disputes over the composition of the decision-making board, which includes representatives from various organisations and some residents, have led to protests and resignations. Local ward councillors Paul and Chris Bott have been vocal critics, arguing the board should be resident-led.
Further controversy surrounded board chairman Manjit Jhooty, linked to the Jhoots Pharmacy chain, which faced union allegations over staff pay and branch closures. Following MPs raising concerns in the House of Commons in October 2025, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood returned a £2,500 donation from Manjit Jhooty. He subsequently resigned from the parent company and rebranded his pharmacy operations to JHL Pharmacy in December 2025.
In Aldridge, the borough's new £32 million Household Waste Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station on Middlemore Lane is complete and awaiting permits, with an expected opening in late January 2026. Surveys have also been conducted for a proposed new railway station in Aldridge, targeted for 2027.
Bloxwich celebrated the opening of the Bloxwich Launchpad, a business support hub in the former Post Office, funded by the Town Deal. The Greening Bloxwich programme continues, aiming to refurbish King George V Playing Fields, while both Bloxwich and Leamore Parks received new play equipment in 2025.
On a major industrial scale, the SPARK development at the former James Bridge Copper Works is progressing rapidly. This £126 million logistics scheme will provide 620,000 sq ft of employment space and create around 1,100 jobs. Phase one construction finished in November 2025, with a further three units in phase two due for completion by autumn 2026.
As Walsall moves into 2026, its physical and economic landscape is being fundamentally redrawn. While some projects have encountered delays and debate, the scale of investment promises significant long-term change for residents and businesses across the borough.
