Wolverhampton city centre street branded a 'medieval slum'

Wolverhampton council is unhappy with the state of Woolpack Alley, which was dug up in February so workers could re-instate a gas main.

Following the work, paving slabs were smashed and left strewn across the road, while a asphalt surface was laid down, supposedly as a temporary measure until the paving could be replaced.

But Wolverhampton council says a lack of 'technical ability' on the part of the contractors means the work has still not been completed, resulting in the temporary surface becoming cracked and sinking into the ground in patches.

Frustrated bosses at the authority now plan to use their own contractors to finish the job - and pass on the bill to National Grid.

Councillor Michael Hardacre said: "They have left behind a scarred and horrible entrance to the Mander Centre that looks like a medieval slum.

"I have been trying to find out why it is such as mess for months but it is difficult getting a straight answer.

"As a council we are trying to get the city centre looking good, so for this to be happening on a traditional old street is certainly not helping the image of the place."

Woolpack Alley serves as a busy route between Dudley Street and the Mander Centre.

Wolverhampton council spokesman Oliver Bhurrut said: "National Grid's contractors did not possess the technical ability or have access to the materials to relay the paving that was broken in the process.

"They therefore laid a temporary Tarmac surface near the junction with Dudley Street with the agreement National Grid would organise for the paving to be replaced at a later date.

"While waiting for National Grid to confirm when they can undertake the work, the reinstatement underneath the temporary surface proved unstable causing it to break up and dip.

"The council has now decided it can no longer wait for National Grid to act and has intervened by asking its own contractors to relay the paving.

"They will start work shortly and National Grid will be charged to cover the cost."

National Grid spokeswoman Jane Taylor, said: "The job involved getting through granite blocks that were set in concrete, that we knew we would have to break up when we started the job.

"We have had several meetings with Wolverhampton council in an effort to sort this out. It was agreed quite early on in the job that the council would carry out the work to relay the surface."

Woolpack Alley was named in reference to the city's connections with the wool trade. In the 1700s it was a busy pedestrian route that used to link the Wolverhampton's original market place, High Green, with John's Lane.