All change at station
Wolverhampton railway station is to be rebuilt and the city centre transformed in a £176 million plan which will bring 3,000 new jobs. Work on the Wolverhampton Interchange project is set to start in as little as 18 months and be completed by 2012.
The scheme - one of the most ambitious and elaborate in the city's recent history - was unveiled exclusively to the Express & Star this afternoon. It will include:
* A dramatic glass-fronted railway station with a new 1,400-space multi-storey car park
* A "remodelled" bus station that will be brought into the 21st century
* 413,000 square feet of office space in at least four futuristic buildings
* A four-star 150-bed hotel
* Restaurants, cafes and bars alongside the canal basin
* More than 200 homes
The current platforms and recently-built footbridge will remain and a striking shell will be built around it, housing the car park and hotel.
The Interchange will incorporate the expansion of the Midland Metro, with tramlines extended throughout the city to run along Lichfield Street and into the complex. The existing car park will be demolished.
Work is expected to start on site in 2008, and completed in 2012. It will complement the £265 million Summer Row shopping complex, which is expected to be open by 2010.
City leaders today heralded the development as "one of the most exciting Wolverhampton has seen in decades". Councillor Peter Bilson, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said it would be one of the most prestigious developments ever seen in Wolverhampton.
He added: "It will benefit everyone who lives and works in Wolverhampton as well as visitors to our city. This will provide a high-quality gateway to Wolverhampton, improving the image of the city and public transport provision particularly."
It is expected to create 2,900 permanent jobs, 2,000 of which will be office-based. Of the 215 homes to be built, 20 per cent will be affordable housing. More than 160,000 square feet of public open space will also be created.
It is to be built by Liverpool-based Neptune Ltd, which fought off competition from three other high-profile developers.
Stephen Parry, managing director, said: "Our plans for the Interchange will enhance Wolverhampton's growing status as a key regional business and leisure venue."
As part of the project, British Waterways will strive to clean up the area's canals.
EXCLUSIVE by Becky Sharpe
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