Building work begins on new £22.5m bus station

CONSTRUCTION work on Wolverhampton’s new £22.5m bus station has begun.

Demolition of the old station, which started in April, is still on-going but diggers have now moved into to begin carving out the first foundations.

The new bus station and pedestrian footbridge, which links it to the railway station, forms part of the first phase of the £177m Wolverhampton Interchange project.

Work is expected to be finished on the new bus station at the end of next summer.

Once completed, it will have a glass entrance, 19 bus stands, three waiting areas, electronic information boards, CCTV and help-points.

There will be no pedestrian crossings within the bus station, instead passengers will access their bus stand via covered pedestrian walkways equipped with glass doors that automatically open when the vehicle arrives.

The new station will also have public toilets, offices, retail and leisure space and drivers’ accommodation.

Neptune Developments and BAM Construction are carrying out the work in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council, transport authority Centro, National Express West Midlands and Advantage West Midlands.

Chief executive of Centro Geoff Inskip said: “It’s very exciting to see the first elements of the new bus station actually going in to place, marking the start of what I believe will be a tremendous asset for both passengers and the city.

“Together with the council and Neptune we have strived to make sure this new bus station not only gives the people of Wolverhampton the sort of facility they need and deserve but also one they can be proud of as an iconic gateway into their city.”