Sedgley Beacon tower opens to public for first time in 40 years

One of the highest points in the West Midlands is opening to the public for the first time in 40 years.

Sedgley Beacon's tower will be open to visitors tomorrow (September 13) as part of the nationwide Heritage Open Days.

Friday (September 11) was the first time in four decades people could climb to the top.

The grade II listed landmark is currently undergoing restoration work, after Dudley Council partnered with the Friends of Sedgley Beacon to secure funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to undertake a series of repairs.

The project aims to preserve the historic tower and improve opportunities for future public access.

The team have so far repointed the sandstone structure and successfully reinstated 17 missing stone steps within the tower's spiral staircase.

The reinstatement of the staircase marks an important step towards the long-term ambition of opening up greater access to the tower.

Dudley Council said it's now waiting for funding to restore seven more steps in the final stages of the refurbishments.

Councillor David Stanley, chair of the Friends of Sedgley Beacon, said: "The transformation is remarkable.

"With the scaffolding removed, people can now fully appreciate the work that has taken place and just how much the tower has benefited from the investment.

"The reinstatement of the staircase is another significant achievement and literally brings us a step closer to our ambition of increasing access to this iconic local landmark."