City of Wolverhampton Council and Centro have highlighted the importance of the planned Metro extension to the city centre’s £120 million Interchange. Preparatory works are expected to start later this year on connecting the existing Metro service from Birmingham with the soon-to-be redeveloped railway station via Pipers Row and Railway Drive. New tram stops are proposed at the railway station, and either side of Pipers Row, near Castle Street, directly outside the bus station.
During the works the council will be working closely with Midland Metro promoter, Centro, to keep traffic disruption to a minimum. Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets, has called for patience and understanding from road users throughout the works and to focus on the ultimate goal for the city of an integrated transport hub that benefits everyone in Wolverhampton.
“The whole Interchange project is passenger-driven,” he said. “We want a city centre that works for everyone. “Passengers do not want to be lugging bags and buggies long distances from one mode of transport to the other – particularly in bad weather. “The locations of the two new tram stops outside the bus and railway stations are vital in offering a full and complete Interchange between modes of transport.
“People want fast and easy connections, especially when they are on long journeys at the end of a tiring day. “We also want to make the most of our connection to Birmingham and ultimately links to HS2 to help Wolverhampton shops and businesses thrive.
“Close proximity to good transport links is important to businesses. That has been a major selling point in us attracting office tenants to the recently-completed i10 building. “Wolverhampton is a vital sub-regional transport hub and the Metro extension will help make us more competitive when it comes to selling the city to investors.
“The Metro forms a major part of what we hope will be an Interchange the people of Wolverhampton can be proud of.”
Phil Hewitt, Metro Programme Director for Centro, added: “The extension will give people a direct link to Wolverhampton’s main railway station from the Midland Metro.
“It will bring significant transport improvements and is a key element in the wider £120 million Wolverhampton Interchange project that will help regenerate the heart of the city centre and the wider Black Country.”
