Nature reserve plans steam ahead

Work was today steaming ahead to convert former railway station buildings into a field studies centre for a popular Wolverhampton nature reserve.

The transformation of the old Tettenhall railway station began in January and is progressing well.

The former station building is to become home to a new field studies and interpretation centre for visitors to Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve, while the old booking office will be converted for use by the countryside rangers as a mess room and office.

Since work began, the former booking office has been gutted and dehumidifiers have been put in to dry it out.

The remaining rotten roof beams and joinery will shortly be replaced and the guttering repaired, with internal work beginning once the building has dried out sufficiently. The adjoining toilet block has been knocked down and a new one will be erected next to the booking office.

Landscaping work is continuing in order to improve access for disabled people while work on the former station building, which will become the field studies centre, is expected to begin in May. John Reynolds, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “This is a very exciting development.”

Joan Stephenson, Tettenhall Wightwick councillor, said everyone was delighted with the project. “We hope that we can develop the sort of catering facilities they have at the old Wombourne station and it encourages the use of the nature reserve,” she added.