Retaining Wall And Arcade To South West Of Low Level Station Forecourt

WOLVERHAMPTON

SO99NW WEDNESFIELD ROAD 895-1/5/354 (South side) 20/02/87 Retaining wall and arcade to south west of Low Level Station forecourt (Formerly Listed as: Retaining wall and arcade on NW side of BR High Level line)

GV II

Retaining wall to high level railway line incorporating an arcaded pedestrian gallery known as "The Colonnades" and underpass. 1882-4. For the London and North Western Railway (high level line). Brick with blue engineering brick, ashlar and cast-iron details; white glazed bricks lining to gallery and underpass. From the west abutment of the Corn Hill railway bridge (not included), 2 and a half bays to north followed by 3 bays in quadrant curve to the west, thence continued by 27 bays facing the forecourt of the Low Level Station (q.v.), and a further 25 bays are pierced to form an open arcade on the north east side of the gallery. The 2 bays at either end of the gallery have full-height openings, but the intermediate 21 arches have parapets capped by decorative cast-iron railings. The gallery is entered in the centre of its length from a tiled underpass approached by steps leading from the forecourt of the High Level Station. A plain half bay links the arcaded wall with the east abutment of the Wednesfield Road railway bridge (q.v.). The bays of the retaining wall are defined by full-height pilaster strips on continuous offset plinth with a moulded stone capping, with cornice and high stone-coped brick parapet; plinths and cornice break round pilaster strips. Each bay has large square panel, and similar panel to parapet. Each arcade bay has a round brick arch with stone hoodmould, imposts and keystone; intermediate bays have stone-coped parapet with decorative cast-iron railings with knopped handrails. The gallery has shallow groin vaulting lined with glazed bricks; the bay at the west end is partly infilled with a later brick gas meter house. The pedestrian gallery and underpass provide access to High Level and Low Level stations. Included for group value with Low Level Station (q.v.).

Listing NGR: SO9202398886