High angle views of Wolverhampton town centre and shots of new developments. Initial history section shows historic illustrations of the town and a view of sheep in a field and shots of street names that remain from the wool trade (names end in 'Fold'). We then see Victorian terraced houses being demolished in the Dudley Road, Cobden Street and Bromley Street areas followed by a surveyor at work and an excavator digging foundations that will become the Blakenhall estate. At St Luke's Primary School children are seen working on a project about the new estate and then visit the site (shot during 1967). The final stages in construction are then shown including coloured panels being installed in the entrance followed by exterior views of the completed tower block and children's play area. We also see the official opening being performed by Keith Joseph in December 1967 accompanied by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Alderman Edward Fullwood. We then see views of the completed Heath Town estate, New Cross Hospital and inside the new Bushbury swimming baths. Back in the town centre we see views of the Victorian Queen's and Central arcades - two areas that are due for demolition. We then see the demolition of old shops and excavators at work on new shopping areas including the use of explosives to blast out sandstone during 1967. This is followed by the topping out of one of the two new centres: the Mander Centre by Philip Mander in 1967. We then see shoppers inside the completed shopping precinct and also inside the adjoining Wulfrun Centre. The next section covers road building and we see details from a 1750 map of the town accompanied by illustrations of horse transportation and stills of the now demolished coaching inns (Star and Garter, Swan and Peacock, and Coach and Horses). The first two stages of the ring road were completed prior to this film so we see construction of stages three and four. Stage three building includes a new roundabout at Darlington Street and we also see views of busy traffic at the junctions of Waterloo Road and Bath Road prior to the ring road and the completed stage four dual carriageway passing Molineux House. Models of future plans for the ring road are also shown as is a model for the proposed civic centre to be built outside St Peter's church. The final section shows the council's design department looking at plans and illustrations for a redevelopment of Bilston town centre which will include a new bus station. Views of traffic in Bilston prior to the start of work are shown.
Produced by the Resources Centre of Wolverhampton Education Authority.
[Commentary by Kenneth Kendall]
[Directed by Tom Mason]