Contractors have started the second major phase of work at the i54 6,000-job employment site at Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton - one of the biggest development projects in the West Midlands.
The £5 million programme of infrastructure and reclamation work on 220 acres of brownfield land owned by Advantage West Midlands will be completed within a year.
The regional development agency is investing £64 million in the i54 site, which is being developed in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council and South Staffordshire District Council.
The first development plot at the site, which is a priority project for the Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor and Future Foundations Regeneration Zone, could be ready for occupation by the summer of 2008.
Approval for the current phase of reclamation work was given by the two local authorities in April this year following discussions with the Environment Agency and English Nature. Site work will include:
The levelling of plots across the development, cutting earth from high parts and moving it across the site to fill in lower areas
Installation of drainage and creation of a new wetland area
Construction of an on-site spine road with access to future development plots. The spine road will be connected to the M54 in a future phase of work
Fencing, landscaping and planting of a 30m wide strip around the site, adding to the existing trees and hedgerows. The plot surfaces will be grassed on completion.
Important ecological features, such as Clewley Coppice and Monarch's way, will be protected.
John Edwards, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: "i54 is fast becoming a site of regional, national and international importance. Its potential was recently showcased at the world's biggest airshow at Farnborough.
"I'm delighted the next phase of this exciting development is now underway. It means we are one step closer to transforming the site into a major employment opportunity which will have an immense impact on the economy of South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton."
Councillor Peter Bilson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise at Wolverhampton City Council said: "I welcome the start of this latest reclamation work on the i54 site which includes construction of a spine road which will ultimately link to the M54. This is significant progress for the project which is so important for this area's regeneration".
Mike Norris, Director of the Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor, said: "The i54 site is one of the cornerstones of the Technology Corridor and will help meet the needs of local, UK and overseas technology companies involved in design, applied research and manufacture. The i54 will become a major site for higher value-added employment and will help shape the future employment profile for the west of the region"
The project is being managed by Turner & Townsend, and the site works overseen by consulting engineers Mouchel Parkman. CA Blackwell is the contractor appointed to carry out the work.
Outline planning applications for overall development of the site and a motorway access planning application are currently being considered by the two local authorities.
The i54 site team number for inquiries is 07903 596126.
Notes to picture editors
Pictured left to right are: Mike Norris, Wolverhampton to Telford Technology Corridor, John Edwards, Advantage West Midlands, Cllr Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council and Cllr Paddy Kelly, South Staffordshire District Council.
Notes to editors
Advantage West Midlands is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England whose role is to provide leadership and action to create more, better jobs and an improved quality of life for all in the West Midlands.
For more media information or images please contact Phil Brown on 0121 503 3402philbrown@advantagewm.co.uk