Wolverhampton’s new railway station is part of the dramatic transformation taking place under the city’s award-winning £150million Interchange scheme which is delivering improvements to bus, tram, cycle and train connectivity. Wolverhampton Interchange Partnership consists of City of Wolverhampton Council (CWC), Ion, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), West Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Network Rail, Midland Metro Alliance, Canal & River Trust, Black Country LEP and SLC Rail.
While Phase 1 of the station has been open to the public since May last year with train services running, contractors Galliford Try have been building Phase 2.
They are now ready this month to begin the Entry into Service and handover period with West Midlands Railway and Network Rail to ensure the remainder of the new station building – its equipment and facilities – are tested and commissioned before a date is announced to open Phase 2 to the public.
The works compound in front of the new station will remain in place to enable Midland Metro Alliance to complete the final section of the tram extension to the station plaza, creating a fully integrated transport hub with the neighbouring bus station.
Phase 1 includes six ticket vending machines, new British Transport Police, toilet, accessibility and baby changing facilities, three retail units ready to be fitted out, train crew accommodation, and a spacious concourse.
Phase 2 includes three more retail units, as well as a customer lounge and dedicated customer help point.
The development works were cleverly designed in 2 phases to ensure they did not impact on train services from Wolverhampton.
It is the culmination of years of hard work by all the Wolverhampton Interchange Partners, who have delivered a first-class facility, supported by funding from City of Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield, said: “This is a historic moment in Wolverhampton’s history and is symbolic of the multi-billion-pound regeneration that is taking place in our city.
“It has been a long-held ambition to build a railway station befitting of our great city and connect train, tram, cycle and bus in one place to provide a gateway to Wolverhampton that everyone can be proud of.
“I am delighted that we as a Council have delivered on this vision thanks to strong collaborative work with all our partners.
“Covid-19 restrictions mean many people will not yet have seen the new station and I cannot wait for the time to come when these impressive new facilities can be used to their maximum by everyone.
“The railway station development is a big part of how we are re-imagining and re-inventing our city centre to help boost the local economy, create jobs and make the most of our canalside areas, where we have major housing plans.”
Subeagh Singh, Interchange Programme Co-ordinator, SLC Rail said: “This project has always been very special to me because it’s my local station. I feel very proud to have been part of the fantastic team to help create this world-class gateway for the city.”
Watch video:
