Events plea for Wednesbury town hits safety roadblock
Calls for major events to be staged around parts of Wednesbury town centre could be scuppered after it emerged road closures would have to be put in place.
Traders launched a petition saying they were tired of activities being focused on the square outside Morrisons, in Union Street, and calling for special events to be "spread out" to nearby streets.
But councillors today said it had emerged holding large events in other sections of Union Street or High Street would require nearby roads to be closed on health and safety grounds.
Costings are now being carried out to look at the feasibility of shutting roads for future activities – but businesses have been warned it may have an impact on trade.
Councillor Elaine Costigan said the petition raised by the traders had opened an unexpected "can of worms" when considering future activities.
"This situation of having to close the roads only came to light after the petition was submitted by the traders," she said.
"It has emerged road closures will be necessary because of the proximity to main routes under health and safety considerations.
"I have already spoken to a few of the traders about this and they are concerned because some rely on passing trade for their business.
"We are looking at how much it would cost to close the roads for large-scale events but we cannot have a situation where the town is brought to a standstill.
"It may be a case of having to hold events on the square outside the supermarket as there are no viable alternatives."
Traders launched the petition earlier this month saying visitors were bypassing parts of the town when events were held as there was nothing to attract them.
They asked Sandwell Council to consider holding activities along different streets in the town centre so all would have a chance to benefit on busy days.
