More people will shop in Wolverhampton when roadworks complete, say council bosses
More people will shop in Wolverhampton when a controversial roadworks project has ended, a council boss claims.
Businesses have hit out at the £1.6 million overhaul of Princess Street and other nearby streets.
E. Marsh, which has traded in the city since 1913, will leave Wolverhampton after being pushed 'past breaking point' by the roadworks, while historic jewellers TA Henn said sales had plummeted.
But Wolverhampton City Council strategic director Tim Johnson said businesses had been kept informed throughout the works to to minimise disruption.
He said: "The feedback we have received from potential investors was that in order to boost confidence in the city centre, we needed to improve the pedestrian experience and reduce the number of vehicles in this area.
"When the project is completed in the autumn, we will see enhanced city streets and greater footfall.
"We'd again like to thank people and business for bearing with us while work is carried out."
It is expected the work will all be over by September.
While Princess Street is closed, the direction of one-way traffic is temporarily being reversed along the pedestrianised section of Queen Street, King Street and part of Dudley Street.
Work to upgrade traffic lights at the junction of Market Street and Bilston Street, and the junction of Garrick Street and Snow Hill, is hoped to be carried out in the next few months.
