Walsall to get new police station

A new £12.7 million police station will be built in Walsall within three years, with the current headquarters replaced with a big-name company, it was revealed today.

West Midlands Police Authority and Walsall Council are in negotiations over the Challenge Building in Hatherton Street, with the aim of having it demolished and a new station built by 2014.

The current landmark police station in Green Lane will then be knocked down and the land redeveloped to attract a large firm.

Council leader Mike Bird today said: "We have had a meeting with the police authority this week and it was confirmed that the Challenge Building is the preferred site rather than demolishing and rebuilding on the existing site in Green Lane. It is hoped the new station will be built and officers moved in by around 2013 or 2014.

"The Green Lane station would then be demolished. It is a prime piece of land on the gateway into the town centre, it forms an important piece of the office corridor.

"We are already actively pursuing large companies about taking over the land for their headquarters."

The news comes just months after Bilston's new £3.5m station officially opened its doors, while West Bromwich's new £10m police base is on course to open in the summer.