Work starts on Stourbridge's new £7m bus station

Building work started today on the new £7 million bus station in Stourbridge.

Bulldozers and diggers moved on to the site in Foster Street East following the closure of the old station last month.

The new Stourbridge Interchange is due to open for passengers in early 2012.

It will include a shop, improved concourse and electronic passenger timetable boards.

The building work was officially started today by Centro chairman Councillor Angus Adams, Interserve Contracts manager Terry McDonald, who is in charge of the construction project, and Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip.

Councillor Adams said: "It's very exciting to see work start on the new interchange which I believe will be a tremendous asset for both passengers and the town.

"We have been careful to make sure this new interchange not only gives the people of Stourbridge the sort of world-class facility they need and deserve but also one they can be proud of as a landmark gateway into their town."

Since the closure of the old bus station, passengers have been using temporary bus stops placed in nearby Birmingham Street and Parkfield Road.

A shuttle bus taking passengers from the town centre around to the temporary stops will run during the first three months of the construction work. If proved popular, the service may continue throughout the project.

The completed interchange will also include new CCTV, help points and a public address system to give information to passengers.

The existing subway linking the town centre with the bus station will be extended and refurbished to bring commuters into the middle of the redeveloped station.

Better links will also be created to the innovative People Mover connection to Stourbridge Junction, allowing for easy interchange between bus and rail services.

Alternative stopping arrangements for 700 buses that use the station each day have been released and published on the Network West Midlands website here.