Wednesday 8 Sep 2004
WOLVERHAMPTON STATION UPGRADE NEARS FINISHING POST
- Region & Route:
The £11m upgrade of Wolverhampton Station will be a step closer to completion after this weekend, when Network Rail will be carrying out essential track and signalling work ahead of the introduction of the new station platform. A full closure of the railway at Wolverhampton station will be necessary to carry out the work and this will take place between 00.45 on Saturday 11 September and 05.00 on Monday 13 September. Replacement bus/coach services will be provided and passengers are advised to check before travelling with National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50. Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s Route Director for London North Western said: “We are delighted to be carrying out these final preparations for the introduction of the new platform in time for the start of the new winter timetable at the end of the month. “In addition to the cosmetic changes the improvements to Wolverhampton Station will bring, rail travellers will also benefit from increased platform capacity and the operational flexibility this will allow.” - more - Wolverhampton - 2 The scope of the project at Wolverhampton includes the new platform, which will span the entire length of the station, easing congestion and catering for trains of up to 10-car length and a sleek steel and glass footbridge. The bridge will provide disabled access to all platforms for the first time and passengers can also look forward to a new waiting room, buffet unit and passenger lounge with toilets on the new platform. For many years the station has been a bottleneck for rail services and the improvements will considerably ease congestion on this route. The project is being carried out as part of the Strategic Rail Authority’s ‘West Midlands Strategy’ and is being implemented through the West Coast upgrade work. West Midlands passengers will also receive a further benefit from the West Coast upgrade, with the introduction of a new bay platform at Birmingham New Street. Final work to bring Platform 4c into operation takes place on Sunday 19 September, when again some local services will be replaced by coach/bus services.
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