Summer end in sight for Wolverhampton Pipers Row roadworks
Long-running roadworks in Wolverhampton city centre remain "on track" to end this summer - but there is still no firm date for when traffic will be flowing freely again.
Work to lay metro tracks along Pipers Row has led to diversions and temporary traffic lights, causing lengthy delays for drivers.
Driving into the city centre using the busy route has become a challenge for motorists. The right turning from Bilston Street has been blocked off, forcing drivers to take the long way round past the Central Library and new outdoor market.
There are then temporary signals to contend with on Pipers Row, while drivers leaving the city centre face a long wait to get to the Ring Road due to queuing traffic on Bilston Street.
The major scheme to overhaul transport systems in the city, including a rebuilt train station and extended metro line, have been widely hailed, but have not been without knock-on effects for drivers.
'Need for safety'
The Midland Metro Alliance, which is carrying out the work, said it was confident the job would be completed this summer.
New traffic lights, tram signals, pavements and kerbs are being installed, and new tram stops will be set up on either side of the road outside the bus station.
A spokesman said: "The work we are doing at the moment is improving the street paving and the teams have to be able to work safely in the road.
"Hopefully we will be in a position to give further details shortly but at the moment we are still on track to complete it in the summer.
"The paving works need good weather so we have been really helped by having a mild winter and have not had major delays to push us back."
Opposition leader Councillor Wendy Thompson said: "It has gone on for such a long time and it has caused a lot of disruption to the city centre, particularly people trying to get into work and people trying to park.
"It has been nightmarish and the sooner it comes to an end the better."
