Walsall bus station to get revamp this year in a bid to 'brighten' it up
Walsall's busiest bus station is to get a major revamp this year under plans to 'brighten' up the site, the Express & Star can reveal today.
LED lighting and coloured paint will be used on St Pauls Street station.
Seating and flooring the bus stands will be replaced and concrete walls in the waiting areas removed.
Large screens will be installed and a public WiFi spot introduced - a first for a bus station in the West Midlands.
The mid-life refurbishment project will be carried out by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM).
Spokesman Mark Langford said: "Walsall St Pauls Bus Station is now 18 years old and needs infrastructure improvements in order to bring this facility up to a similar standard as our other bus stations.
"Walsall St Pauls accommodates nearly half a million bus departures a year and has the highest footfall out of all of our main bus stations and interchanges.
"Following consultation with customers, bus operators, Walsall Council and other stakeholder groups it has been agreed to make significant improvements for all users of this important transport hub."
Mr Langford said funding had already been allocated and was 'hopeful' the works will be completed by the end of this year.
The project will be put members of the West Midlands Combined Authority on Monday.
A report to the meeting said: "The overall impression of the bus station is considered dull and cold and this is an opportunity to brighten the station up with LED lighting and explore the feasibility of painting the concrete areas."
It said the toilets would also be updated with the introduction of a pay-to-use turnstile.
Office space could also be rented out for retail.
Walsall Council's cabinet member of regeneration Lee Jeavons welcomed the move.
He said: "You think of Walsall bus station and there are eight million people using the site every year – it is a busy station which is a gateway to the town.
"Therefore it is important it is kept looking good for the area. This is great news for the town."
He added: "I look forward to seeing exactly how they plan to brighten up the station, and what colours they use."
The bus station has three satellite bus stands on St Pauls Street and 11 stands within the main operating area of the bus station.
There is also a town centre bus station in Bradford Place.
