People-power pledge for Interchange
Released: 28 November 2007
Revised plans for the regeneration of part of Wolverhampton City Centre will be the subject of a major public consultation campaign in the New Year.
The pledge follows news that the original development scheme for the areas neighbouring the city’s main railway station has been refined to reflect detailed discussions with key stakeholders including the city council Network Rail, Virgin Trains, Centro and British Waterways.
The revised plans are due to be presented to a major transport conference in Wolverhampton today, but are still being refined ahead of a public launch in the New Year.
Neptune Developments, who are spearheading the Interchange project have agreed the consultation timetable with Wolverhampton City Council and the projects other stakeholders British Waterways, Virgin Trains, Network Rail and Centro.
Neptune Developments managing director Steve Parry commented: “We have been working closely with the council and stakeholders over recent months to review the original scheme to reflect their detailed requirements.”
“We have amended the design of the core elements of the scheme - including the new rail and bus stations, commercial offices, residential accommodation, public spaces and canal side cultural quarter to complement schemes coming forward for adjoining sites.
More emphasis has been placed on the canal in the redesign to ensure that the city benefits from a n active canalside leisure quarter. We believe that this will give us a more integrated, better designed and more vibrant overall development that will act as a catalyst for further investment in a thriving city centre.”
“We are very much looking forward to unveiling these plans and getting the valuable input of local people. We are intending to launch a major public consultation campaign in February with two public exhibitions, a website, questionnaires and a programme of meetings and presentations to community groups. It is vitally important that the people of Wolverhampton are given a genuine opportunity to shape the future of their city.”
Steve Boyes, director for sustainable communities at Wolverhampton City Council said: "We are delighted to be in a position to plan consultations on this scheme which will transform a key part of the city centre and bring millions of pounds of investment to the area.
"We look forward to working with Neptune and all the stakeholders in the coming months and throughout the scheme. We also eagerly anticipate hearing people''s views on the revised plans.
"This is a very exciting time for Wolverhampton with a range of schemes regenerating the city to the benefit of everyone who lives and works in Wolverhampton as well as visitors to our city."
Issued by Neptune Developments.