A new £24 million transport interchange in the Black Country has received the green light. Dudley Interchange has been granted full planning permission, meaning the project's partners Transport for West Midlands and Dudley Council can now move onto the next stages including securing remaining parcels of land and finalising the detailed designs.
A contractor is also due to be appointed ahead of construction work beginning. The project will see the existing 1980s bus station, the oldest in the West Midlands, demolished to make way for a modern bus and tram interchange allowing passengers to move between services.
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council's planning committee approved the plans which will deliver a new two-storey interchange with waiting areas, retail units, live travel information screens and solar panels on the roof.
The first phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension is currently under construction and set to open in 2024 when it will run services between Dudley town centre and Wolverhampton and Birmingham. The second phase will see the route go to Brierley Hill, including a stop at the Merry Hill shopping centre.
Also under development is a new cross-city bus route, offering faster journey times between Birmingham and the new Dudley Interchange.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "This is another significant milestone in the development of the new Dudley Interchange and I would like to thank the planning committee for supporting this important scheme.
"It is clear from their decision that they recognise a modern, efficient and comfortable bus and tram interchange will not only be warmly welcomed by the people of Dudley but will also create a fantastic gateway for visitors to the town centre.
"Work is under way on the new Metro line and a new cross-city bus route is being established to speed up journey times to Sandwell, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
"This is great news for Dudley and will vastly improve connectivity for local residents for many years to come. I cannot wait to see this scheme come to fruition and change lives for the better."
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