Park & ride boost for West Midlands

Neil Jones (Merseytravel), Dianne Bourne (Eric Wright Group), Steve Rotheram, Michelle Sharp (Merseyrail), Jane English, Dave Jones and Phil Hodgson (Liverpool City Region) and Steve Carter (Eric Wright)

Neil Jones (Merseytravel), Dianne Bourne (Eric Wright Group), Steve Rotheram, Michelle Sharp (Merseyrail), Jane English, Dave Jones and Phil Hodgson (Liverpool City Region) and Steve Carter (Eric Wright)

A 196-space park & ride facility for Black Country commuters has opened its gates. Motorists can now park for free at the Bradley Lane Metro stop, between Bilston and Wednesbury, following completion of the £2.6m construction project.

The West Midlands Metro links Birmingham, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich.

The Bradley Lane Metro stop and car park opened just few weeks after West Midlands Metro services started calling at Centenary Square and Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre following completion of the first phase of the Westside extension.”

Development of the car park proved challenging as the site required extra strengthening works due to disused coal mine shafts underneath. It is now being held up by the Coal Authority as a model for construction on former mines.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “This is a fantastic new car park complete with 200 spaces, motorcycle parking, electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage, environmentally friendly LED lighting and CCTV coverage. It is offering people in this part of Walsall borough a convenient alternative to driving all the way into Birmingham or Wolverhampton and helping us to tackle congestion on our roads.”

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is investing in new park & ride facilities across the region to encourage greater use of public transport, to ease congestion and improve air quality.

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council and WMCA transport portfolio holder, said: “TfWM currently provides more than 8,000 park & ride spaces, but many of these car parks are full to bursting each day. So, along with our partners, we are investing in more park & ride facilities across the region to offer motorists a convenient alternative to driving into our busy city centres each day.”

The development was carried out in partnership with Walsall Council who provided the land. During the spring work will begin to provide four new football pitches on the playing fields next to the car park. The existing football pitch will remain open for use.

Cllr Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, said: “This car park offers the people of Walsall an easy way to travel about the region using the Metro. The playing fields will also be improved to benefit the whole community around Bradley Lane with new grass and lining, and enhanced drainage.”

There is no charge to use the Bradley Lane car park.