In a twist on the traditional sod cutting ceremony, representatives from the partners behind the project, which include Advantage West Midlands, gave the signal for a 45 tonne, 21 metre high piling rig to start boring out the deep footings that will form the foundations of the new bus station.
Putting the huge machine into action were Cllr Paddy Bradley, Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and environment, Geoff Inskip, chief executive of Transport Authority Centro, Steve Parry, chief executive at Neptune Developments and Mark Foley, partnership director at Advantage West Midlands. Also on hand was Paul Goodall, commercial director for the Midlands at BAM Construction Ltd which is carrying out the work.
Mark Pearce, Corporate Director for Economic Regeneration at Advantage West Midlands identified the project as a priority for Regional Infrastructure Funding through the Department for Transport. He said: “AWM has identified Wolverhampton as one of the top priority areas in the region for investment. High quality, efficient transport infrastructure is critical to the city’s wider development by improving access to jobs and services, not just locally, but regionally.”
Geoff Inskip said: “It’s very exciting to see the first elements of the new bus station actually going in to place, marking the start of what I believe will be a tremendous asset for both passengers and the city.
“Together with the council and Neptune we have strived to make sure this new bus station not only gives the people of Wolverhampton the sort of facility they need and deserve but also one they can be proud of as an iconic gateway into their city.”
The new bus station, together with a pedestrian footbridge linking it with the rail station, forms part of the £22.5 million Phase One of the wider £177 million Wolverhampton Interchange project.
Over the next week, the piling rig will continue to sink the foundations of the new station which is expected to take around another 15 months to build.
Once completed it will boast a stylish glass entrance, 19 bus stands, three glass enclosed waiting areas, multi-modal electronic information and safety and security features including CCTV and help points.
Safety will be further enhanced by having no pedestrian crossings within the bus station. Instead passengers will access their bus stand via covered pedestrian walkways equipped with glass doors that automatically open when the vehicle arrives.
The new station will also have public toilets, offices for Centro staff, retail and leisure space and drivers’ accommodation.
Councillor Bradley, said: "This is a momentous day for Wolverhampton, marking the start of construction of our brand new bus station. It will be a superb facility that really will be fit to meet the needs of 21st century passengers and linking the bus station to the railway station. The design process has been painstaking and we are confident that this new station will be a landmark that the city can be proud of.”
Steve Parry, added: "We are delighted to be here at the start of construction work on the new bus station which welcomes a new era of public transport to Wolverhampton. It is the result of hard work and commitment by all parties involved in a difficult economic climate."
Pictured above (left to right) are Cllr Paddy Bradley, Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and environment; Paul Goodall, commercial director for the Midlands at BAM Construction Ltd which is carrying out the work; Geoff Inskip, chief executive of Transport Authority Centro; Cllr Neville Patten, leader of Wolverhampton City Council; Mark Foley, partnership director at Advantage West Midlands; and Steve Parry, chief executive of Neptune Developments.