Dudley bus station redevelopment FINALLY moves forward as plans are submitted

The station will undergo a complete rebuild, while it has emerged a new junction will be built to allow buses direct access onto the Duncan Edwards Way bypass.

Council chiefs hailed the plans as coming at 'the ideal time' and said it would deliver a 'considerable transformation' to the town.

Initial plans for the bus station rebuild have been lodged by Transport for West Midlands.

Buses would be able to access Duncan Edwards Way from Trindle Road, under the plans, while the new station would also link to the major retail development planned for the derelict Cavendish House office block site.

Regeneration

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "There has been a considerable amount of regeneration taking place in and around the town centre.

"It is the ideal time to do it and we should see a considerable transformation.

"It is part and parcel of the regeneration of Dudley and I am in favour of what is going on – I am looking forward to the transformation.

"I think the whole environment is going to change like with any town centre when investment takes place.

"Access and the ability to get in and out of the area has got to be looked at. The whole infrastructure of the West Midlands needs considerable investment."

Works, if approved, will coincide with the extension of the Midland Metro into the town.

The proposals would see the clearance of the existing buildings and structures on the site, including four bus shelters, and the construction of a new bus station with re-configured access roads and bus parking bays.

Access

A new single carriageway road would connect Birmingham Street to Castle Street and footways would be provided around the new site.

An access route for buses would be provided along the realigned, improved and two-way St Joseph’s Street to allow bus movements onto Trindle Road and onwards to Duncan Edwards Way.

The submitted plans come as back in September council bosses warmed to the idea of a redevelopment following raised safety concerns.

Dudley Council development bosses said they were 'satisfied' with the scheme after viewing the plans in greater detail despite safety concerns raised by a cabinet member.

Councillor David Stanley, former cabinet member for Corporate Transformation and Performance, raised concerns about pedestrian safety as under original plans buses were set to reverse in and out of bays at the revamped station.