Multi-million pound redevelopment of city railway station approved

PLANS for the multi-million pound redevelopment of Wolverhampton railway station have been approved by the city council.

The Interchange partnership, the body spearheading the city’s regeneration, plans to demolish the existing station and replace it with a new one.

Work is due to begin on the new railway station next year following the extension and refurbishment of the facility’s adjoining multi-storey car park. Work on this project is expected to be completed by Christmas 2016.

It forms part of a wider £120m Interchange project that will also see an extension of the Midland Metro, including a new stop at the station.

The new railway station will also benefit from an enhanced Birmingham New Street-style ticket office, larger passenger concourse, better ticket barriers to ease flow onto and off platforms, much improved retail and café facilities, increased taxi rank provision and a more efficient passenger drop off/pick up arrangement.
 
Cllr Peter Bilson, deputy leader and cabinet member for city assets, said: “This is another important step forward and 2017 is set to be a big year for the Interchange project.
 
“The people of Wolverhampton can look forward to a railway station befitting of their city.
 
“As part of this regeneration it is crucial visitors to our city get the best first impression possible and their travel experience is enhanced – this new state-of-the-art station will deliver that.”
 
Steve Parry, managing director of Neptune Developments, added: “These plans for the main railway station building illustrate that the city will soon have a new high quality gateway.”
 
Dave Whitehouse, Virgin Trains Interchange Project Manager Wolverhampton, said: “There’s a real sense of excitement as the station will be transformed, unrecognisable from how we know it today. That’s great news for our customers and we’re delighted to play our part in giving the city a station to be proud of.”