Wolverhampton City Centre Metro Extension Public Consultation 2013 Please tell us what you think by 31st May 2013 centro.org.uk
1 We would like to hear your views on the proposed Midland Metro extension in Wolverhampton City Centre, which would help to transform public transport and support major regeneration in the city
What we are proposing to do and why Centro is proposing an extension to the Metro in Wolverhampton as part of its long-term plans for network expansion and to support major regeneration within the city centre. The proposed extension would bring significant transport improvements and help regenerate the heart of the Black Country. In February 2012 the Government gave the final go ahead for the 128 million Metro extension from Snow Hill to the redeveloped New Street station in Birmingham. Work is well underway to deliver the extension which includes a major expansion of our depot at Wednesbury. Centro is also procuring a new fleet of stateof-the-art trams, the first of which will soon be operating to Wolverhampton, improving the quality of service and journey comfort for all passengers. network to the newly-constructed bus station and the rail station. At present, the tram terminates at St George s. The bus station and the rail station are not connected, and so it is proposed that the tram be extended to link these together, creating a world class public transport interchange. New tram stops at the bus and rail stations would make travel easier and improve connections between trams, buses and trains. The Metro extension would also support major regeneration by improving connections within the city. It would allow better access to the redeveloped rail station building and commercial and leisure developments which form part of the Wolverhampton Interchange project. Services from Wolverhampton to New Street are due to commence in 2015. Following on from the success of these projects, Centro is planning further expansions of the Metro network. At the forefront of these is an extension in Wolverhampton City Centre linking the existing 2
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ST MARYS STREET Wolverhampton City Centre Extension Proposal WOLVERHAMPTON CITY CENTRE METRO EXTENSION The Details The proposed Metro extension has been progressed in close co-operation with Wolverhampton City Council and Neptune Developments. It is fully integrated with the Wolverhampton Interchange project and associated developments. Construction will be closely co-ordinated to minimise disruption. The extension would run along Piper s Row with a stop directly outside the bus station before terminating at the rail station. This route supports the regeneration of Wolverhampton City Centre and provides a more effective interchange between tram, bus and train. 4
Piper s Row Stop & Bus Interchange The locations of the two new tram stops are vital in terms of offering a full and complete interchange between modes of transport. The bus station in Wolverhampton is the busiest in the West Midlands and is a focus for services into and out of the city centre. The stop on Piper s Row would allow easy movement for people between trams and buses. It would offer convenient access to the shops and businesses nearby. Rail Station Stop & Interchange The Rail Station Stop would provide easy movement between trams and trains. Passengers departing from the tram would be able to go straight into the newly developed Rail Station. The provision of the new station building and the tram stop would also create improved facilities for pedestrians, taxis, pick up and drop off and car parking in the rail station area. 5
St George s Stop (Bilston Street) The proposal is to maintain the St George s Stop. Most trams would travel along Piper s Row to the rail station. However, to improve flexibility at certain times of the day, the trams could use the St George s Stop. The current layout and land available for the tram mean that it would not be possible for the tram to serve both Piper s Row and St George s stops on the same journey. The tram service would operate on a six minute frequency throughout the day and a number of different service patterns could be introduced to serve Piper s Row Stop, the Rail Station Stop and the St George s Stop. We would like to hear your views on what times of day the tram should stop at St George s Stop rather than Piper s Row Stop and the Rail Station Stop. 6
The benefits of the Wolverhampton City Centre Metro Extension project: Expanded network in the city centre offering wider journey choices Two new Metro stops in the city centre The ability to interchange with bus and rail Open up areas for regeneration to support major developments in Wolverhampton Bring new jobs and add to the economy of the Black Country Support the planned major regeneration initiative adjacent to the rail station representing 100m of new investment and the creation of 1,400 new jobs Improved Metro links to and from Wolverhampton to the wider West Midlands area, including a Metro route through Birmingham to the proposed High Speed 2 station at Curzon Street and Broad Street and from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Support future Metro expansion to New Cross Hospital and Wednesfield area Next Steps The next step in the process will be for Centro to apply for a Transport and Works Act Order which would grant the legal powers needed to build and operate the new tram extension. Centro plans to submit an application for this Order to the Secretary of State for Transport in late 2013. If the Order is made, Centro would then let a contract for the tramway construction work. Subject to funding being available the construction would take around 2 years and is currently planned to start before the end of 2015. 7
How you can take part We want to hear your views on the Wolverhampton City Centre Extension proposals. Your opinions are important. There are a number of ways that you can take part in this consultation: Complete the questionnaire at the back of this leaflet and return it using the freepost service Visit one of the exhibitions detailed below, ask questions and provide feedback Send your comments by email to metro@centro.org.uk Call the Centro Customer Contact Centre on 0121 214 7214 Write to Metro Consultation, Centro, 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham B19 3SD Visit our website at centro.org.uk/metro Please let us have your comments by 31st May 2013. If you would like to find out more about the proposals you can visit the project website or attend one of our exhibitions in the city centre. The team will be on hand to answer your questions and provide more information. Exhibition Details Staffed Exhibitions Saturday 27th April Queen Square 09:00 15:00 Tuesday 30th April Bus Station 07:30 11:30 Saturday 4th May Queen Square 09:00 15:00 Thursday 9th May Civic Centre 10:00 14:00 Thursday 9th May Bus Station 15:00 19:00 Tuesday 14th May Rail Station 11:00 20:00 Unstaffed Exhibition 09:00 Monday 29th April 16:00 Friday 10th May Civic Centre, Wolverhampton (not available 2nd May) 8
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Having reviewed the scheme information, please take a few moments to complete the questions below. Q1 To what extent do you support extending Midland Metro to the bus and rail station? Strongly Object Object Neither Support nor Object Support Strongly Support Don t know 1 2 3 4 5 6 Q2 Please give reasons for your answers to Question 1 Q3 In the main trams will serve Piper s Row/ Rail Station. We can run some trams to St George s Stop. What times of day should we do this? Morning peak (06:30 09:30) Shopping times (09:30 15:30) Evening peak (15:30 18:30) Off peak (18:30 23:30) Never 1 Continue to Q4 2 Continue to Q4 3 Continue to Q4 4 Continue to Q4 5 Please skip to Q5 Q4 If you agree that St George s should be served by the tram how often should we do this? Every other tram (every 12 minutes) 2 trams an hour (every 30 minutes) 1 2 10
Q5 How frequently do you visit Wolverhampton City Centre? (Almost) every day (About) 1-4 days a week (About) 1-3 days a month Less than once a month Almost never 1 2 3 4 5 Q6 What is your main means of travel to/from Wolverhampton City Centre? Bus Metro Rail Car Cycle Walk 1 2 3 4 5 6 Q7 What is the main purpose of your journey to/from Wolverhampton? Work Education Leisure Interchange with Bus Interchange with Train Interchange with Tram 1 2 3 4 5 6 Q8 Please provide your home postcode. This will only be used for mapping purposes, you will not be contacted from this information. Q9 If you work, please provide your work postcode or town. This will only be used for mapping purposes, you will not be contacted from this information. Q10 Which of the following age groups are you in? (Tick one only) Under 16s 45-59 1 5 16-24 60-64 2 6 25-34 65+ 3 7 35-44 4 11
Q11 Please indicate gender (Tick one code only) Male 1 Female 2 Q12 Have you got any further comments? 12
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If you would like a copy of this document in a form more suited to your needs, please contact us on 0121 214 7214 or email customerrelations@centro.org.uk