A £24 million development of a new interchange station at Dudley in the West Midlands has been granted full planning permission.

The project will see the existing bus station, which was built in 1986 and is the oldest in the West Midlands, demolished and replaced by a bus and Metro tram interchange that will allow passengers to easily transfer between services. The new interchange will have two storeys with comfortable waiting areas, shop units, and live travel information screens. Solar panels will be installed on the roof to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

Partners in the scheme are Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Dudley Council, and they will now progress to the next phases of the scheme including securing the remaining parcels of land, finalising the detailed designs, and appointing a construction contractor, before building work can begin.

Currently under construction is the first phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension. That is due to open in 2024 and will offer frequent services between Dudley town centre, Wolverhampton, and Birmingham. The second phase will extend the route to Brierley Hill and include a stop at the Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

As part of the region’s plans to improve bus services, a new cross-city bus route is planned that will provide a more reliable service and faster journey times between Birmingham and the new Dudley Interchange.

The main funding for the £24 million scheme is coming from the region’s Transforming Cities Fund allocation from the Department for Transport and is being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), in partnership with Dudley Council. The WMCA is also supporting wider multi-million-pound investments in Dudley town centre, including the town’s Portersfield development, an Institute of Technology, and a Very Light Rail Innovation Centre.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, 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 underway 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.”

Cllr Simon Phipps, Dudley Council cabinet member for regeneration an enterprise, said: “This transport interchange is a key part of more than £1billion worth of regeneration activity in Dudley and the planning committee’s decision will be welcomed by many.

“When complete, this scheme will revolutionise how people visit and commute to and from this borough and provides an excellent boost for public transport. I am delighted to see this important programme of work gathering pace.”