Months of city centre disruption begins in Wolverhampton
Commuters in the city centre today got their first taste of months of travel disruption caused by the start of a £33 million scheme to extend the Midland Metro tram line in Wolverhampton
Workmen will prepare the road and lay down track from the Wolverhampton St Georges stop to the city’s railway station – closing Pipers Row until the summer, with traffic diverted along other city centre roads.
Most of the work will involve preparing the road, with the tracks not due to arrive until June. The route will be open for trams in two years.
Meanwhile, motorists coming off the Bilston Island to the city centre now face a diversion from Bilston Street, around Wolverhampton library and on to Garrick Street.
With Pipers Row closed, a bus-only restriction on to Market Street has been lifted.
Vehicles can then access Tower Street and Castle Street, including the NCP car park, on a one-way circular road system.
Exiting the area, vehicles are now directed down Queen Street and Berry Street, behind the Grand Theatre, before reaching Princess Street. Cyclists face the same diversions.
Traffic marshals will be in place 24 hours a day.
The extension will feature stops on Pipers Row and the railway station. The tram line will reach the station via Railway Drive.
Meanwhile lane closures are in place on A449 Stafford Street while trees are planted and the verges are maintained.
The closures are in place between the Five Ways Island and Cannock Road between 9.30am and 3.30pm until Friday, causing delays back to the M54 exit for drivers heading into the city.
