Law firms DLA Piper and DWF are both celebrating after advising on a major transport and regeneration project for the Midlands and getting the first phase of the development off the starting blocks.

Robert Norris, partner at DLA Piper and Claire Chapman of DWF, both worked on legal requirements of Phase 1 of the Wolverhampton Interchange Project, which is a major regeneration scheme for the city.

The project will provide the city with a new bus station, a pedestrian footbridge link over the ring road to the rail station, a series of associated highways and civil engineering works and new retail and office space. It also includes refurbishment of the Queens Building, a Grade II-listed property which will be restored to its former glory.

Transport Authority Centro is working with partners Wolverhampton City Council, Advantage West Midlands and Neptune Developments to bring forward Phase 1 of the wider £174 million Wolverhampton Interchange scheme. Demolition work on the bus station, part of the £22.5 million first phase, got under way in April. BAM is the lead contractor.

DLA Piper acted for Centro, which owned Pipers Row House and operated the rest of the bus station.

The DWF legal team acted for Neptune Developments Limited, whose proposals to build a new transport interchange are part of a major transformation of the city centre. The bus station will be rebuilt on its existing site, and will be complimented by a wide range of commercial and retail uses.

Mr Norris, who worked with colleagues Kelly Loft and Sabrina Gunn on the project, said: “It was a particularly complex assignment because of the number of stakeholders involved. Centro had to negotiate with various parties to protect its interests and ensure the project got underway smoothly which led to more than 50 documents requiring to be negotiated on Centro’s part. It was also an extremely sensitive deal given the high-profile and important nature of the work.”

Claire Chapman, real estate partner, led the DWF team of legal specialists.

She said: “This is a very high-profile and long awaited regeneration project which will transform the city of Wolverhampton. It involved the co-operation and co-ordination of a number of interested parties and, in particular, a real drive and commitment from the city council, Centro and Neptune to make this happen.”