New bus station to lead the way

An ailing bus station is to be turned into a pioneering £6.4million transport hub aimed at providing "world-class" facilities for passengers in the Black Country.

Centro today unveiled new designs for Stourbridge bus station.

It will be a blueprint for all future station developments in the region. Work is expected to begin on the redevelopment next year with a completion date in 2011. The scheme with modern buildings, shelters and electronic displays is an upgrade from a £2.5m project shelved this year.

Plans are to be submitted to Dudley Council next month, and a decision is due in November.

If approved, a new building will be constructed to include a concourse, shop, electronic information boards and toilets.

The shop could be used to provide passenger information and tickets.

A walkway covered with a canopy will be created as an entrance to the new station linking the main building with the existing Foster Street subway, which will also be revamped.

Eight new bus stands are to be constructed. These will be enclosed with doors which open for passengers when their bus arrives.

There will also be an additional stop in Vauxhall Road allowing passengers an easy change over between buses and Stourbridge Town railway station. Security cameras, help points and a public address system will also form part of the scheme.

The station will also be officially renamed Stourbridge Interchange.

Improvement work was expected to begin at the site this year, with the cost estimated to be £2.5m, but Centro delayed the scheme so the plans could be revised under the recently approved Transforming Bus Travel document.

Residents can get more information when Network West Midlands set up a marquee in Foster Street on July 18 and July 21 between 9am and 3pm.