A historic moment for the City of Wolverhampton has been marked as machines began full demolition of its railway station last week.

The work is the next stage in delivering a £150 million transport hub to provide an attractive commercial gateway to those entering the city by national rail, bus or tram.

The scheme has been designed in two phases to ensure train services can continue to operate as normal throughout with the new state-of-the-art railway station to serve the city will be fully open in summer 2020. Council Leader and WMCA portfolio holder for transport, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said:

"This is a momentous occasion for the City of Wolverhampton. It has been a long-held vision for the council to deliver a new railway station befitting of our great city and seeing the first bricks tumbling brings us close to that reality.

"There is £3.7 billion of investment currently on site or in the pipeline across Wolverhampton. As part of this regeneration it is crucial visitors to our city get the best first impression possible and their travel experience is enhanced - this new state-of-the-art station will deliver that." 

Once work on the new station is completed it will pave the way for the Midland Metro Alliance to begin the final link of the new city centre tram extension. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added:

"It’s fair to say that Wolverhampton has waited a long time for this new railway station and that when it is complete it will provide a suitable gateway to a thriving city. Just as important, the new station will be the hub of a rail, tram and bus network which will be a huge benefit to the people of Wolverhampton.

"The start of demolition work is an important milestone and I am delighted to be able to take part and equally that the West Midlands Combined Authority investment is going towards something already making progress."