An innovative private sector development partner for Wolverhampton’s new transport hub, the scheme known as Wolverhampton City Interchange, is being sought by Wolverhampton City Council, together with key partners Network Rail, British Waterways and Virgin Trains.

As one of the country’s biggest infrastructure schemes, Wolverhampton’s Interchange will provide a unique showcase facility where road, rail, bus and Metro services combine at one city centre site. The partners seek proposals from interested developers and consortias for a new showcase railway station, together with an innovative mix of retail, leisure, hotel, residential and office uses for the whole 7.9 acre (3.2 hectare) site. Construction costs for the scheme could be up to £100m.

Wolverhampton City Council has already secured £17m of government funding for the current major transport scheme underway which includes improved public transport facilities and access to the station, extended parking facilities, a new public square in front of the station and a glazed covered walkway linking the rail and bus stations. Furthermore, it is proposed that the innovative Midland Metro, which currently links Wolverhampton to Birmingham in just 35 minutes, will be extended through to Wednesfield and Walsall via the core of the Interchange.

The call for a private development partner comes on the back of the Government’s recent pledge to commit funds to regional infrastructure projects. With £17m funding already secured for some elements of the scheme, Wolverhampton City Council will work in partnership with the successful developer to secure additional public funding to develop the surrounding area.

The site immediately joins Wolverhampton’s Ring Road, giving excellent access to all areas of the city and region and to the motorway network. The site has canalside frontage and is within the Canalside Quarter, one of the biggest regeneration areas of the city boasting at least seven other large scale developments either planned or underway, including the mixed-use Bluebrick scheme at the historic Low Level station.

Steve Boyes, Director of Sustainable Communities at Wolverhampton City Council said, "This is a unique opportunity to significantly uplift our public transport gateways so that they provide a fitting first impression of Wolverhampton as a great place to live, work, do business and spend leisure time. We are committed to making the Wolverhampton City Interchange a success and encourage innovative and ambitious partners to come forward and share in the delivery of our vision and ultimately in its success."

Ian Mercer at Bruton Knowles, property agents for the site, comments, "Wolverhampton’s Interchange is one of the most important transport hubs in the West Midlands. With the station currently generating over 7 million passengers per annum and additional footfall predicted through a growth in rail, bus and Metro customers and canal users, the scheme represents an exciting development opportunity to create a showcase railway station and innovative mixed-use scheme. We would like to hear from quality and innovative developers with the right skills to capitalize on this potential."

Details of the site can be obtained by visiting www.wolverhamptoninterchange.co.uk