A scheme costing £2.4 million is set to upgrade Dudley Port, one of the most outdated stations in the West Midlands.

Investment is already being made in the station and surrounding area, including a new tram stop on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill West Midlands Metro extension, which is currently being built. There are also plans for improved facilities for walking, cycling and public transport in the area.

Dudley Port station opened in 1852, is on the Stour Valley line and serves the Dudley Port and Great Bridge areas of Tipton. The name Dudley Port was adopted because of the large number of warehouses and wharves which were built around the Birmingham Canal to serve Dudley’s industries in the nineteenth century.

Dudley Port station will be the only rail and tram interchange on the new Metro extension. The number 74 bus service links Dudley, West Bromwich and Birmingham.

The West Midlands Combined Authority argues that “Together, these contribute to a future network of sustainable transport options for residents who want to use an alternative to the private car to get around.”

Planners are working on designs for a Dudley Port Interchange Hub, which they intend will make the railway station more welcoming, and will connect it to the new Metro and improve road, bus, cycling and walking links, which will support the regeneration of the area.

The interchange will include:

• new lift and stair access from the Metro stop to the station entrance, delivered as part of the Metro extension
• better walking routes between bus, tram and rail
• a better walkway from Park Lane East to the station, removing steps on the existing footbridge
• improved lighting and CCTV coverage
• enhanced walking and cycling links from nearby residential areas
• better landscaping, public spaces and passenger information signs, significantly changing the environment of Station Drive
• improved live travel information boards for bus, rail and Metro
• electric vehicle charging points

The works are scheduled to be finished by the end of next year, and will be followed by phase one of the Metro extension from Wednesbury to Dudley town centre.

Phase two, due to be completed by March 2027, will add walking and cycling links to the station.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) – part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) – and the West Midlands Rail Executive are leading the scheme, and are working with Sandwell Council, Dudley Council, Black Country Transport Group, Network Rail, the Midland Metro Alliance and West Midlands Railway.

The £2.4m funding comes from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement which the Department for Transport to TfWM, which is  last year.

Funding will also be spent on developing the business case for the full redevelopment of Dudley Port station. It is currently one of the busiest stations in the West Midlands that does not have step-free access.

A consultation will take place, inviting the public to give their views on the proposals at Dudley Port, which will then be considered as the designs are finalised.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said “With the new Metro stop and a high-quality cycleway both in development to join the railway station at Dudley Port we’re making major investments in transport infrastructure to better connect local people and benefit the Black Country for many years to come.

“This interchange hub will draw these various transport modes together – providing a seamless link to get the tram or train regardless of whether residents arrive by bus, car, bike or on foot. All in all, our ambition is to fully transform Dudley Port railway station.

“Together, we can vastly improve access to public transport and active travel options at the same time as opening up leisure, investment and employment opportunities for local people for generations to come.”

Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell council’s cabinet member for regeneration and WMCA, said: “These improvements will really make a difference at Dudley Port, which is a key gateway to and from Sandwell. Not only will these changes make the station more welcoming for people, but they will also provide much better links for bus, cycling and walking in the local area and boost wider regeneration opportunities.”

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of Walsall Council said: “Dudley Port interchange is just one part of our unprecedented investment in sustainable transport across the region which is delivering improvements to our bus, rail, tram and active travel networks – supporting our communities and businesses and contributing to a fairer and greener West Midlands.”

Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s central route director, said: “Joined-up public transport networks which meet the needs of all passengers are key to a successful and growing region. This investment will make a huge difference to people travelling to and from Dudley Port and I hope kick-starts further improvements to this key station in the West Midlands.”