Contractor announced for new bus station development

Welcoming the announcement, Wolverhampton Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise, Councillor Paddy Bradley, said: 'It is very exciting to see work starting in the city centre on a project that will transform Wolverhampton.'

'The Interchange is one of the most important infrastructure developments to have been planned in Wolverhampton for decades and will provide the city with a passenger transport hub fit for the 21st Century.'

Neptune Developments, one of the country's leading regeneration developers, is renowned for delivering high profile and complex schemes. They have transformed key areas of Liverpool, including Queen Square and are currently developing Mann Island, on the prestigious World Heritage Site on Liverpool's waterfront, along with a major scheme in New Brighton, Wirral. They are working closely with Wolverhampton City Council and partners on the Wolverhampton Interchange project.

Rob Mason, Neptune's Development Director, said: 'We are very excited to have started work on the Wolverhampton Interchange scheme and the selection of BAM as the preferred contractor demonstrates that we are firmly on target.'

'We are totally committed to Wolverhampton and to delivering an excellent scheme and we look forward to getting out on site and starting to make our vision a reality', he added.

BAM's commercial work includes the redevelopment of Birmingham's Brindley Place. Its local team recently won the Prime Minister's Best Public Building Award for Joseph Chamberlain College, also in Birmingham.

Richard Dakin, Director of BAM Construction in the Midlands, said: 'This is an important development for the people of Wolverhampton, and led by a first class developer. We intend BAM's reputation for considerate construction and quality work will deliver an absolutely first rate development for them.'

Rob Marris, Wolverhampton South West MP, said: 'I' am pleased that the Government listened to my request for additional funding enabling the project to start over a year earlier than it would otherwise have done. The re-development of the bus station is a major boost for the whole Interchange scheme which is of crucial importance to the future regeneration of Wolverhampton.'

A series of preparatory works started in the city centre this week.

These initial works include re-siting of bus stops to Queen Street and Stafford Street and re-locating the travel information centre to premises in Queen Street. These will not come into operation until the bus station closes.

A major customer information campaign will be undertaken in the run up to the closure of the bus station to ensure passengers know the key dates in the project programme and practicalities such as where to catch their bus or buy travelcards and passes.

Project partners will ensure that updated travel information will be available to the public throughout the duration of the 18 month project.

Neptune Developments is working in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council, together with Centro the region's transport authority, National Express West Midlands and other bus operators, to deliver the new facility.