The doors opened on Wolverhampton’s new railway station today after the first phase of the development was handed over to West Midlands Railway.

However, the full benefits of the new station will not be felt for some time with people currently being urged to follow the Government’s coronavirus guidance and not travel by train unless absolutely essential.

The opening of the first phase is a major milestone in the city’s £150 million Interchange development that will better connect train, tram and bus. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“The new Wolverhampton Railway Station is a crucial part of public transport plans for the West Midlands, and I am pleased the WMCA could help play its part in making it happen alongside City of Wolverhampton Council and other partners.

“Of course, at the moment we are urging people to follow the Government’s guidelines and only use public transport if it is absolutely essential, meaning we are not expecting many passengers to see the new station yet. But this will all change when restrictions ease further and we begin to encourage people back onto public transport.

"Not only that, soon Wolverhampton commuters will be able to travel seamlessly across the region, with the West Midlands Metro extension along Pipers Row set to link to this new station as well as the existing bus station.

“The new station is a brilliant development for the city, and yet another example of how partnership working is benefitting the West Midlands.”

Station signage has been installed and a clear pedestrian access route to the new station entrance will be marked out around the phase two works, which will begin immediately. Phase one includes six ticket vending machines, a new hub for the British Transport Police, toilets, accessibility and baby changing facilities, three retail units ready to be fitted out, and train crew accommodation. City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield, added:

“A lot of hard work has been put in by all the partners on the Interchange scheme and I am looking forward to seeing our new railway station up and running from.

“The new building will make a huge difference to the passenger experience and, with the partners now cracking on with phase two of the development, it will ultimately provide a gateway to our city that we can all enjoy using - and be proud of.

“There is more than £4.4 billion of investment on site or in the pipeline across the city, and the railway station development is a big part of how we are re-imagining and re-inventing our city centre.”

Phase two of the programme will see the demolition of the remainder of the current station building and completion of the new build to house three more retail units, as well as a customer waiting room and help point. The new station building to serve the city will be fully open in early 2021.

To enable delivery of Network Rail and West Midlands Railway planned enhancement works to the pedestrian subway that leads into the rear of the station, the subway will remain closed until phase two of the development work is complete.

A recommended, temporary pedestrian diversion route is already in place for customers wanting to access the station via Wednesfield Road.