WOLVERHAMPTON BUS INTERCHANGE

Project: Wolverhampton Interchange
Completed: 2011
Type: Transport
Main Contractor: BAM Construction
Architects: Austin Smith Lord
Project Value: £1 million to £2 million
Glazed Area: 4,994m2
Products Used: Curtain walling(visible grid and SG); entrance doors, bolted glass, entrance screens (both linear and faceted), glass canopies, bolted vertical art glass, drainage channels, downpipes, bespoke flashing and cills.

Dortech completed this major glazing works contract for BAM Construction in 2011, who were contracted by developers, Neptune. The new interchange was developed to create a transport interchange as phase 1 of a major mixed use regeneration scheme.

Dortechs contract had a value in excess of £1.5 million and included the design, manufacture and installation of over 4,500m2 of glazing including; curtain walling (visible grid and SG), entrance doors, bolted glass entrance screens (both linear and faceted), glass canopies, bolted vertical art glass, drainage channels, downpipes, flashings and cills.

Historic links between the city centre and the train and bus stations will be maintained and enhanced with the construction of a new footbridge over the ring road. Pedestrian access to the Birmingham Canal will be enhanced as part of a public realm strategy that will see a series of new squares and landscaped areas opened up.

The bus and train stations will be rebuilt on their existing sites and the development will be complemented by a wide range of new offices, shops and cafe bar/restaurants.

The new bus station, together with new commercial space will bring significantly improved facilities for passengers with the emphasis being on creating an attractive and safe environment.

Now completed it boasts 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. There will also be a new travel information centre, providing passengers with facilities for the purchase and collection of coach tickets, public transport information and West Midlands travel cards for bus, rail and Metro.

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. A pedestrian footbridge will link the bus station with the rail station.