Express & Star

REVEALED: Find out new route after subway closes to Wolverhampton Railway Station

A map has been unveiled showing the diversion people will face when the subway at Wolverhampton Railway Station closes later this month.

Published
An artist's impression of the new railway station

Council bosses have confirmed the pedestrian subway at the station will be shut from Sunday May, 20 until summer 2019.

This will kick-start work on the revamp of the station as part of the £150 million Wolverhampton Interchange project.

Chiefs said the closure will enable demolition of the current station building and a new one to be built next to it.

A recommended temporary diversion route will be put in place for customers wanting to access the station via Wednesfield Road.

The station works will take place in two phases, with rail services continuing to operate as normal throughout.

The first phase of full demolition will start in early July.

Take a look at the new walking route

The diversion that passengers leaving the station for Wednesfield Road will have to follow when work begins

The British Transport Police building and a small section of the current station building next to platform one will be demolished, paving the way for the first section of the new station building to be constructed.

Customers will be able to use it by summer 2019, when phase two of the works will get under way

Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: “The closure of the pedestrian subway is essential to enable the demolition process to begin.

“As part of this regeneration it is crucial visitors to our city get the best first impression possible and their travel experience is enhanced – the new state-of-the-art station will deliver that.”

Steve Parry, managing director at Ion, added: “The temporary closure of the subway marks an important milestone in the development.

"It means we will be able to start the demolition process and begin the journey that will bring the city a state of the art railway station with superb transport links.”

Richard Brooks, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: “The work planned as part of the Wolverhampton Interchange project is going to transform public transport in the city, with new station facilities and better connections to the rest of the region at its heart.

The tired Wolverhampton Railway Station will be transformed in the project

“We’re creating a railway that the West Midlands can be proud of and can call its own. Wolverhampton is an important station on our map.

"The redevelopment of the station shows the important role railways play in supporting the economic wellbeing of our region.”

The new station will be connected directly to a tram stop, once work is carried out on the Midland Metro city centre extension.

The Midland Metro Alliance is currently carrying out work on Pipers Row. Construction will then continue down Railway Drive to the railway station.