Express & Star

New route into Wolverhampton railway station opens

A new access route into Wolverhampton railway station opened this morning.

Published

Sun Street/Corn Hill was expected to be used by its first drivers at 7am today, providing another route to and from the station for people travelling from Wednesfield.

Council chiefs said it is also expected to ease pressure during peak times at Horsley Fields traffic lights and on the new Network Rail/Virgin Trains passenger drop off area at the station.

The street, off Wednesfield Road, has been closed since 2008 due to safety concerns surrounding the grade II-listed Steam Mill building and is a popular place for on-street parking.

However the mill has now been demolished as part of the £132 million Wolverhampton Interchange project and parking restrictions have been introduced on Sun Street.

The road reopening also means the new Bailey Street taxi feeder rank is now being used.

Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: "People are gradually getting used to the new access arrangements for the station.

"I would like to thank people using the station and residents nearby for their patience while the new access arrangements bed in during this transitional period."

Other developments as part of the multi-million scheme include a new entrance to the extended multi-storey car park, which has increased capacity from 450 to more than 800 long stay parking spaces.

The old car park entrance on Railway Drive has been permanently removed.

Pedestrians can continue to access the station via the footbridge from Pipers Row, while National Cycle Route 81 remains in use along Railway Drive - although cyclists have been warned to take care for construction traffic.

The new station building will include a Birmingham New Street-style ticket office, larger passenger concourse, ticket barriers to ease flow onto and off platforms and improved retail and café facilities.

The overall interchange project will eventually also see a Metro line extension running from St George's tram stop, along Pipers Row and Railway Drive down to a new stop at the station.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.