Dudley Council is improving the lives of local people, by pouring millions of pounds into fixing up roads and creating first-class leisure facilities for the area.
I've worked with the council and local leaders to attract £ 1 billion of investment in the area.
The huge amounts of investment going into Dudley are down to teamwork, and the council has played a major part in attracting money that will reshape the town for the next decade.
Right now, the council is doing brilliant work making improvement to leisure centres and facilities that will have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of Dudley people for generations to come.
Work on the new Dudley Leisure Centre continues at pace and is on track to open early next year.
The £18.2 million facility will include a 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and a teaching pool with spectator provision. There will be a four-court sports hall suitable for indoor football, badminton and more, a 100-station gym and fitness suite, two group exercise studios and a cycle studio, plus a sauna and power-assisted gym equipment for those recovering from injury, older customers and those living with long-term health conditions.
Work is continuing to revamp Stourbridge's Crystal Leisure Centre, with improvements to the changing facilities and pool.
And work has already started on a multi-million revamp of Halesowen Leisure Centre, in Pool Road, including improvements to the gym and a new children’s play area. It will also get a new look entrance and café.
There will be major changes to the swimming pool to cater for learner and advanced swimmers, while plans also include new ‘village style’ changing rooms and a pool-side viewing area
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the Dudley Council, said: "It is fantastic to hear that work has started on the improvements at Halesowen Leisure Centre.
"Along with the ongoing works at Crystal and at the new site in Dudley, it reaffirms our commitment as a council to offer top-class leisure facilities for people in the borough to enjoy."
But it’s not just leisure facilities that are being sorted out – the borough’s roads are being revamped too, with £1 million being spent to tackle the problem of potholes. Again, this is something that will improve the quality of life of local people.
The funds will target around 900 extra potholes across miles of residential streets as well as some complete resurfacing of roads.
Councillor Harley aid: "I am delighted we have been able to put this extra money into the budget. We have listened to local people about what is important to them.”
During 2019 there were 1,468 requests for the council to deal with potholes but this rose to 1,902 in 2020 - a 30 per cent increase.
People can report potholes to the council by calling 03005552345, by going online at dudley.gov.uk and searching ‘potholes’ or via social media - @dudleyplus on Twitter.
