Delight as Pipers Row turning in Wolverhampton finally opened after two years

When the right hand turning down Pipers Row off Bilston Street was closed back in 2018 it meant drivers had to do an often time-consuming loop round St George's Parade and Garrick Street if they wanted to head into the city centre or to the train station.

The turning was closed off due to essential work being carried out by Midland Metro Alliance to create a new metro line.

But now the turning has reopened, saving drivers time during rush hour.

A Midland Metro Alliance spokeswoman said: "The right-hand turn from Bilston Street onto Pipers Row reopened to traffic this morning following the completion of driver familiarisation on the existing line.

"The traffic signals on Pipers Row are now in operation following the successful completion of essential driver familiarisation on the existing line. This needed to be carried out before the signals could be finalised due to the changes in traffic flow expected.

"Now that the traffic signals are operational, the current traffic restrictions on Bilston Street and Pipers Row have been lifted allowing drivers to turn right from Bilston Street on to Pipers Row."

She added: "The Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on developments, with sub-contractors working on the project required to prioritise essential road maintenance works across the region to ensure key workers can continue to travel. The pandemic has also affected some key supply chain partners.

"We are delighted to have reopened this right hand turn to traffic and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time."

The Metro works have been a topic of contention during the last two years – as the completion date kept being pushed further back.

Bosses originally said it would be finished during summer 2019.

Pub landlord Shaun Keasey at the Prince Albert, on Pipers Row, said the project had cost his business £100,000 due to punters not being able to easily access his bar.