Wolverhampton train station car park set to double in size
PLANS to extend and refurbish the multi-storey car park at Wolverhampton railway station have been approved. The scheme will more than double the number of parking spaces available.
The extension forms a key part of the next phase of the wider Wolverhampton Interchange project, which aims to create an improved rail gateway to the city.
The scheme sees lead developer Neptune Developments create an additional 520 parking spaces to take the overall capacity to more than 900. Parking for cycles, motorcycles and taxis will also be provided as part of the extension, while a brand new entrance will also be installed off Cornhill.
The application will see the existing frontage on Railway Drive improved as an interim measure with the current red steelwork repainted and a new entrance and access route developed. The medium-term ambition is to build a new hotel on the land between Railway Drive and the car park which would effectively wrap-around the existing frontage, creating a completely new view and a modern-looking gateway to the new railway station.
Cars and other vehicles will access the station from Cornhill, while Station Drive will be closed off to allow space for the Metro extension which will ultimately connect to the railway station.
The approval allows the project to move on to the next stage, which is submitting plans for a brand new railway station in the New Year.
Cllr Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity said: “We can now get the wheels in motion on what is a really exciting project for the City of Wolverhampton. The current multi-storey car park has been around for a long while and I am sure we all welcome the approval of these plans. This is an instrumental part of the Wolverhampton Interchange project and paves the way for further developments to bring growth, prosperity and jobs to Wolverhampton.”
Steve Parry, managing director, Neptune Developments said: “This is an important element within the overall Wolverhampton Interchange scheme and the vision for a modern state-of-the-art transport hub.
“The facilities for both car drivers and cyclists are being extended and improved with a high quality design in keeping with the aspirations that we have set for the overall project.”
The completed scheme, which utilises over £100m of public and private investment, will result in a state-of-the-art integrated transport hub along with over 300,000 sq ft of commercial floor space.
As part of a comprehensive approach to delivering the Wolverhampton Interchange masterplan, the council and Neptune are working with Centro, Network Rail, Virgin Trains and the Canal & River Trust.
