General information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Location | Wolverhampton, City of Wolverhampton England | ||||
Coordinates | 52°35′15″N2°07′12″W / 52.5875°N 2.1200°W | ||||
Grid reference | SO919988 | ||||
Managed by | West Midlands Railway [1] | ||||
Transit authority | Transport for West Midlands | ||||
Platforms | 6 | ||||
Other information | |||||
Station code | WVH | ||||
Fare zone | 5 | ||||
Classification | DfT category B | ||||
History | |||||
Original company | Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Stour Valley Railway | ||||
Pre-grouping | London and North Western Railway | ||||
Post-grouping | London, Midland and Scottish Railway | ||||
Key dates | |||||
1 July 1852 | Opened as Wolverhampton (Queen Street) | ||||
1 June 1885 | Renamed Wolverhampton (High Level) | ||||
1964-67 | Redeveloped | ||||
7 May 1973 | Renamed Wolverhampton | ||||
2018-21 | Redeveloped | ||||
17 September 2023 | Midland metro services started | ||||
Passengers | |||||
2019/20 | 5.123 million | ||||
Interchange | 0.330 million | ||||
2020/21 | 0.995 million | ||||
Interchange | 52,875 | ||||
2021/22 | 3.453 million | ||||
Interchange | 0.187 million | ||||
2022/23 | 4.446 million | ||||
Interchange | 0.222 million | ||||
2023/24 | 4.771 million | ||||
Interchange | 0.228 million | ||||
| |||||
|
Wolverhampton station is a railway station in Wolverhampton,West Midlands,England on the Birmingham Loop of the West Coast Main Line. It is served by Avanti West Coast,CrossCountry,Transport for Wales and West Midlands Trains services,and was historically known as Wolverhampton High Level. It is also a West Midlands Metro tram stop.
The first station named Wolverhampton had opened on the edge of the town centre in 1837 on the Grand Junction Railway,this station was renamed Wednesfield Heath in 1855,shortly after the present station was opened,and then was closed in 1873. [2]
On 12 November 1849,the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway opened a temporary terminus to its line,at a location very close to the present station. [3]
The present station site was opened on 1 July 1852 by the Birmingham,Wolverhampton and Stour Valley Railway,a subsidiary of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR);it was named Wolverhampton Queen Street. [4] The only visible remnant of the original station is the Queen's Building,the gateway to Railway Drive which was the approach road to the station. The building was originally the carriage entrance to the station and was completed three years before the main station building. Today,it forms part of Wolverhampton bus station. [5]
Two years later,on 1 July 1854,the Oxford,Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway (OWWR) opened a second station,located behind the older station on lower ground,which became known as the Wolverhampton Low Level station from April 1856,the other becoming known as Wolverhampton High Level from 1 June 1885. [4]
From 1923,the LNWR was amalgamated into the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS),and in 1948 it became part of the London Midland Region of British Railways. [6]
Services over the former Grand Junction Railway line to Walsall (and thence to Lichfield City and Burton-on-Trent) ended in January 1965,this route being the only one from here to fall victim to the Beeching Axe.
The since replaced Wolverhampton station dated from 1964 [7] when the High Level station was completely rebuilt by the architect Ray Moorcroft as part of the modernisation programme which saw the West Coast Main Line electrified. [5] It consisted of three through platforms (the present platforms 1,2 and 3). As part of this scheme,most services on the OW&WR route from Shrewsbury were diverted here from Low Level (though a few peak-hour trains continued to serve the latter until March 1968);these then continued to Birmingham New Street via the Stour Valley line rather than via the ex-GWR line to Birmingham Snow Hill as before. In the 1980s,a parcels siding was converted into a south-facing bay platform (the present platform 5),and a new north-facing bay was constructed (the present platform 6).
In 1987 twelve different horse sculptures by Kevin Atherton,titled Iron Horse,were erected between New Street station and Wolverhampton,including one at the southern end of platforms 2 and 3. [8]
More recently (in 2004),a new through platform (platform 4) was constructed on the site of infrequently-used sidings. This has greatly enhanced the capacity of the station. A new footbridge was also constructed,to allow access to the new platform but also to improve access to the existing ones. A proposal for a more comprehensive redevelopment of the station and surrounding area was announced on 18 October 2006. [9]
Work on the £150 million redevelopment of the station finally began in 2018,and was expected to be completed in 2020,it included an extension of the West Midland Metro. However,COVID-19 requirements caused the work to be delayed. Demolition of the 1960s buildings began in May 2020 with the first part of the new station opening the same month. [10] The new station building was fully opened in June 2021,a year later than originally planned. [11] Its aluminium façade is in black and gold,the traditional colours of Wolverhampton Wanderers. [12]
Management of the station transferred from Virgin Trains to West Midlands Trains franchise in April 2018. [13]
The basic Monday to Saturday off-peak service in trains per hour (tph) is as follows:
1 early morning service runs to Holyhead via Chester,Llandudno Junction and Bangor on Mondays to Saturdays.
Prior to the June 2024 timetable change,Avanti West Coast operated a daily direct service between Shrewsbury and London Euston. [15] [16] [17]
London Northwestern Railway [18]
Sundays are operated as an hourly service stopping at all stations.
West Midlands Railway also will run a direct Wolverhampton-Walsall service via Willenhall and Darlaston,expected to start in Winter 2025/26. [23] [24]
Wolverhampton Lines |
---|
Preceding station | National Rail | Following station | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
CrossCountry | ||||
Penkridge towards Liverpool Lime Street | London Northwestern Railway Birmingham–Liverpool | Coseley towards Birmingham New Street | ||
Sandwell & Dudley | Transport for Wales North Wales Main Line | Telford Central | ||
Transport for Wales Cambrian Line | ||||
West Midlands Railway | ||||
Coseley | West Midlands Railway Wolverhampton – Birmingham – Aston – Walsall | Terminus | ||
Sandwell & Dudley | Avanti West Coast London – Wolverhampton | Terminus | ||
Birmingham New Street | ||||
Avanti West Coast | ||||
Future services | ||||
Willenhall Bilston Street | West Midlands Railway Walsall–Wolverhampton line | Terminus | ||
Disused railways | ||||
Terminus | Wolverhampton and Walsall Railway Later Midland Railway | Heath Town |
Wolverhampton station has six platforms: platforms 1 to 4 are through platforms, while platforms 5 and 6 are bay platforms at the south and north ends respectively. Although all four through platforms are reversible, in practice platform 1 is used for northbound services, platform 2 for northbound and southbound services, and platforms 3 and 4 are for southbound services. Platform 3 is also used for northbound services at busy times. Platform 5 is used by local services to Walsall via Birmingham New Street. Platform 6 was designed for local services on the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line (and was formerly numbered Platform 4 but was renumbered upon the construction of the present Platform 4 in 2004) but is now rarely used, as the majority of services on that route travel through to Birmingham (or occasionally to Walsall). It is generally used for the first service of the day to Shrewsbury and for holding trains when they are not in use.
Platform 1 is mostly used for northbound services, however in the late evenings and on Sundays, there are still a few Avanti West Coast shuttle services that either terminate in platforms 1 or 2. These shuttle trains, usually travel to London Euston, via Birmingham New Street. The shuttle trains are usually of 9-car formation.
Platform 4 is now used for all Avanti West Coast services from Edinburgh/Glasgow to London Euston.
All platforms at the station are electrified to 25 kV AC overhead power. [25]
The railway station is earmarked for redevelopment as part of the Wolverhampton Interchange Project. Ion Developments (previously Neptune Developments) were selected for the project and plan to create a major mixed used area that includes both bus and railway stations, a hotel, retail outlets, bars, cafes and offices.
The plan is to completely rebuild the railway station and improve pedestrian access over the ring road, with a new footbridge link direct to the bus station. After a shortfall in funding for the project, it was decided that the development would take place in phases. Phase One began in April 2010 with the construction of the new bus station which was completed in 2011. Phase Two, which includes the railway station, canalside development, and a hotel, has commenced as of September 2018.
On 31 December 2014 the first phase of the redevelopment of the Railway Station was announced, with the redevelopment of the station's car park, it has seen the car park refurbished and extended to take the existing capacity from 520 to just over 900, along with a new entrance to the car park created from Mill Street, and also includes parking for bikes and motorbikes. It is also expected that a hotel will eventually be developed to change the facade of the car park. [26]
From Sunday 8 January 2017, vehicular access to the railway station changed, with access now via Corn Hill. This change coincided with the opening of the extended car park. This has also created a new short stay and drop off area including a new taxi rank. The change has seen Railway Drive completely closed to enable the laying of tracks for the new Metro extension to commence and the rebuilding of the railway station. [27]
On Friday 28 September 2018, work started on Wolverhampton's Railway Station, with the demolition on the Transport Police building. [28] The new station building opened on 25 May 2020, completing the first phase of the redevelopment of the railway station. The following week the demolition of the old railway station building commenced, with the whole new building completed in June 2021. [29] [30]
On 29 July 2022, the Central England Co-operative opened a food branch at the station.
West Midlands Metro tram stop | |
General information | |
Location | Railway Drive Wolverhampton England |
Line(s) | Line 1 (Edgbaston Village – Wolverhampton St George's/Wolverhampton Station) |
Platforms | 1 |
History | |
Opened | 17 September 2023 |
Passengers | |
N/A |
As part of the Interchange project, West Midlands Metro Line 1 was extended to the railway station with the addition of a new Metro stop. It was expected to be operational by 2020, however this was delayed until the stop opened on 17 September 2023. [31]
Birmingham New Street, also known as New Street station, is the largest and busiest of the three main railway stations in Birmingham city centre, England, and a central hub of the British railway system. It is a major destination for Avanti West Coast services from London Euston, Preston, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley and West Midlands Trains services from Liverpool Lime Street and London Euston both via the West Coast Main Line. The CrossCountry network centres on New Street, as well as local and suburban services within the West Midlands; these include those on the Cross-City Line between Lichfield Trent Valley, Redditch and Bromsgrove, and the Chase Line to Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley. The three-letter station code is BHM.
Birmingham International is a railway station known by code "BHI" in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in the West Midlands of England, just east of Birmingham. It is on the Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line 14 km (8.7 mi) east of Birmingham New Street railway station. BHI serves Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, the Resorts World Arena, and Resorts World Birmingham.
Crewe railway station serves the railway town of Crewe, in Cheshire, England. It opened in 1837 and is one of the most historically significant railway stations in the world.
Aston railway station serves the districts of Aston and Nechells in Birmingham, England. The passenger entrance is on Lichfield Road and accessible via the staircase or lifts to take you to the platform which is raised. The station is on the Cross-City Line and the Chase Line. It is one of two local stations for Aston Villa Football Club and near to the Aston Expressway and to Gravelly Hill Interchange.
Duddeston railway station serves the Duddeston area of Birmingham, England. It is sited on the Cross-City Line between Bromsgrove and Redditch in the south and Four Oaks and Lichfield Trent Valley in the north and the Chase Line between Birmingham International and Rugeley Trent Valley. Both lines run towards Birmingham New Street in the southbound direction.
Coventry railway station is the main railway station serving the city of Coventry, West Midlands, England. The station is on the Birmingham loop of the West Coast Main Line (WCML); it is also located at the centre of a junction where the lines to Nuneaton and to Leamington converge. It is situated on the southern edge of the city-centre, just outside the Coventry ring road, about 250 yards to the south of junction 6.
The Wolverhampton–Shrewsbury line is the railway line from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury via Wellington; it was originally built by the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway. The line is double track throughout, with rarely used relief sidings at Cosford and four tracks through Wellington station.
Walsall railway station is the principal railway station of Walsall, West Midlands, England and situated in the centre of the town. It is operated by West Midlands Trains, with services provided by West Midlands Railway. The main entrance is situated inside the Saddlers Shopping Centre.
Stafford railway station is a major interchange railway station in Stafford, Staffordshire, England, and is the second busiest railway station in Staffordshire, after Stoke-on-Trent. The station serves the market and county town, as well as surrounding villages. The station lies on the junction of the Trent Valley line, the Birmingham Loop/Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line, and the West Coast Main Line.
Sandwell & Dudley railway station is a railway station serving Sandwell and Dudley in the West Midlands. It is located on the Birmingham Loop of the West Coast Main Line. The station is located in the Oldbury area of Sandwell.
Smethwick Galton Bridge is a split-level railway station in Smethwick, West Midlands, England. It is at a point where two railways' lines cross on two levels. It has platforms on both lines, allowing interchange between them. The two low-level platforms serve the Birmingham New Street to Wolverhampton Line, while the two high-level platforms serve the Birmingham Snow Hill to Worcester Line. The high level line passes over the low level line at a right angle on a bridge. West Midlands Railway manages the station and operates most of its services, with others provided by Chiltern Railways and London Northwestern Railway.
Wellington railway station serves the town of Wellington, Shropshire, England. It is situated on the former Great Western Railway's London Paddington to Birkenhead via Birmingham Snow Hill line. Trains are operated by West Midlands Railway, and Transport for Wales.
Coseley railway station is located in the Coseley area of the borough of Dudley, West Midlands, England. It is situated on the Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford branch of the West Coast Main Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by West Midlands Trains.
Tipton railway station is located in the industrial town of Tipton in the borough of Sandwell, West Midlands, England and was known as Tipton Owen Street until 1968. It is situated on the West Coast Main Line. The station is operated by West Midlands Railway, which also provides all services.
Telford Central railway station serves the town of Telford, Shropshire, England. It is located on the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line and is operated by West Midlands Trains. It is situated close to the Telford Shopping Centre, the main commercial district of the town.
Shifnal railway station is a railway station which serves the town of Shifnal in Shropshire, England. The station is managed by West Midlands Trains, who provide the majority of services that call here.
Smethwick Rolfe Street is one of two railway stations serving the town of Smethwick, West Midlands, England. It is situated on the Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line 3¼ miles (5 km) north west of Birmingham New Street. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by West Midlands Railway. The other station serving Smethwick is Smethwick Galton Bridge, which is the next stop up the line.
Tame Bridge Parkway is a railway station in the north of the borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands, England, close to the boundary with Walsall. The station is operated by West Midlands Railway. It is situated on the Chase Line 9 miles (14 km) north of Birmingham New Street, part of the former Grand Junction Railway, opened in 1837.
The Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line is a railway line in the West Midlands of England. It is a loop off the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between Rugby and Stafford, via the West Midlands cities of Coventry, Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The direct route between Rugby and Stafford is the Trent Valley line.
The Birmingham station group is a station group of three railway stations in Birmingham city centre, consisting of New Street, Moor Street, and Snow Hill. The station group is printed on national railway tickets as BIRMINGHAM STNS and does not include the airport station of Birmingham International, which is located some 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) east of the city centre next to Birmingham Airport and National Exhibition Centre.