Wolverhampton Interchange Partnership has announced the name of the preferred contractor to deliver a new multi million pound city railway station.

Plans to demolish the existing station building and replace it with a new one were approved in November.

Galliford Try - one of the UK's leading construction groups and responsible for putting the retractable roof on Wimbledon Centre Court - has been appointed.

They are now undertaking pre construction services on this phase of the £132 million Interchange project.

In the West Midlands, Galliford Try has built the Birmingham Dental Hospital, Resorts World at the NEC, and Hotel La Tour.

They are currently on site building the Conservatoire at Birmingham City University and the new HSBC headquarters at Arena Central.

Elsewhere in the UK, they are also constructing the Forth Road Bridge replacement crossing - the biggest infrastructure project in Scotland.

The works at City of Wolverhampton Railway Station come hot on the heels of the opening of the extended and refurbished multi-storey car park and new station access via Corn Hill last month.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: "2017 is set to be a big year for the Interchange project.

"Enabling works are starting on the railway station building and the people of Wolverhampton can look forward to seeing the emergence of a station befitting of their city.

"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."

The new station building is expected to be completed in early 2019.

It will benefit from an enhanced Birmingham New Street style ticket office, larger passenger concourse, ample ticket barriers to ease flow onto and off platforms, much improved retail and café facilities, increased taxi rank provision and a more efficient passenger drop off/pick up arrangement.

Steve Parry, Managing Director of Neptune Developments, added: "Galliford Try have vast experience in complex regeneration schemes and are also one of our industry leaders in constructing towards a sustainable future. We are looking forward to starting full works on this fundamental component of the Wolverhampton Interchange programme."

Simon Courtney, Area Director of Galliford Try, said: "We are delighted to have been selected as preferred contractor on this significant regeneration project for Wolverhampton. We look forward to successfully working with our client and wider stakeholders to provide the local community with an enhanced new station and improved facilities."

David Whitehouse, Interchange Project Manager for Virgin Trains, added: "Today's news means we're another step closer to giving the city a station to be proud of. It is an exciting time and we will be working closer with all partners, and our customers, to keep any disruption to a minimum."

Martin Ball, Area Director for Network Rail, said: "Wolverhampton station is one of the biggest and most important transport interchanges in the West Midlands and more significantly is a gateway into the city. It is only right that the modern city of Wolverhampton should have a modern railway station to match. That is why we are proud to be a part of this redevelopment scheme."

The Interchange project has also recently seen enabling works start on a Metro line extension, which will include a new stop at the station.

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Type=image;ImageID=9969;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Artist's impression of Wolverhampton's new Railway Station by night;TitleClass=strong;

  • released: Monday 6 February, 2017