Black Country Construction Sector Encouraged to Capitalise on £19bn Regeneration Pipeline
Construction companies in the Black Country are being urged to capitalise on a £19 billion regeneration pipeline within the region. This appeal was made by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce during the launch of a new forum designed to support local construction firms and their supply chains.
The inaugural event, Constructing the Black Country, was jointly hosted by the University of Wolverhampton and the Chamber, attracting over 70 businesses. Attendees were briefed on key development projects, including Wolverhampton’s £27 million Green Innovation Corridor. This corridor is one of several initiatives promoted by the West Midlands Combined Authority as part of the extensive £19 billion investment pipeline, which also encompasses West Bromwich town centre and the broader Black Country Growth Corridor.
Sean Jackson, head of membership at the Chamber, addressed the delegates, stating: “Construction is fundamental to the economic future of the Black Country. But the real value of construction isn’t just the buildings we put up, it’s what those buildings and infrastructure unlock.”
He emphasised the importance of local involvement, adding: “We need local businesses winning the contracts and local people gaining the skills. We need our manufacturers, engineers, consultants and supply chain businesses developing the products and services that the next generation of projects will need. We want to make sure Black Country businesses are at the forefront of these opportunities.”
The event took place at the National Brownfield Institute and featured updates on projects such as the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, alongside developments across Wolverhampton and Walsall.
Jackson further commented: “These aren’t just construction projects, they are economic growth projects. We need to be ambitious enough to say that the Black Country shouldn’t just be somewhere that gets developed, it should be somewhere that creates the development.”
The forum’s first session concentrated on greener supply chains, highlighting how decarbonisation, retrofit, sustainable materials, and energy efficiency are reshaping the construction sector. Dr Paul Hampton from the University of Wolverhampton provided an overview of the green supply chain.
Additional insights were offered by Paul Woodcock of City of Wolverhampton Council and Julian Moore, programme manager for the Green Innovation Corridor at the University of Wolverhampton. The corridor stretches from Wolverhampton city centre to the i54 business park and benefits from £20 million in Local Regeneration Fund support, alongside £7 million from the West Midlands Investment Zone to advance four brownfield sites at Six Mile Green. A master developer is also being appointed to progress these sites towards delivery.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring Luke Pardoe, project manager for the Six Mile Green site at Turner & Townsend; Kevin Kent of Mercia Green Solutions; and John McKeon of Dudley College of Technology. The panel explored practical measures for firms, including reducing energy costs, developing green skills, and managing costs early to ensure green innovation remains commercially viable.
The next Constructing the Black Country event is scheduled for Thursday 26 November at the National Brownfield Institute and will cover topics ranging from green innovation to artificial intelligence and robotics.
