Bilston set for six more weeks of roadworks misery
Major roadworks as part of the £176 million Bilston Urban Village project are set to overrun by more than six weeks.
A 300m (984ft) stretch of Coseley Road off the busy Black Country Route has been blocked off since September 7 while workers fit new water and gas mains and create a road junction for a new housing development.
The work, which has caused misery for motorists and business owners in the area, was set to finish by November 2.
But now council bosses say the road will remain closed until December 18.
They say Severn Trent failed to complete its part of the scheme until this week, meaning other contractors have been unable to access the site.
A Severn Trent spokesman said: "We're sorry to the local residents and businesses for the delay in work.
"This is due to unforeseen circumstances and we're working closely with Wolverhampton council to make sure we get the work finished as quickly as possible."
The urban village scheme is expected to bring 500 new homes.
The closure has meant there is no access to the Coseley Road from the Black Country Route, with diversions in place taking drivers on a mile-long trek through an industrial estate.
Business owners who say they have already suffered a crippling loss in trade have been left reeling by the news.
James Fellows, who runs J&T Autos on Broad Lanes with his father Jim, said he was 'shocked and disgusted' that the work would go on for almost twice as long as planned.
His trade has been halved by the road closure, and this week the entrance to his MOT site was blocked by diggers for two days while contractors tore up the road, he said.
"Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse this happens," added Mr Fellows, aged 26, from Coseley.
"My passing trade has been completely killed anyway but this has got ridiculous. It's come at the worst possible time. Christmas is a quiet time for us so we usually have to get as much work in as we can in the weeks leading up to it.
"This probably means I'll have no wages for Christmas."
Council spokesman Oliver Bhurrut said the authority 'had no option' but to extend the works.
He added: "All the utilities companies involved in the work have been doing everything they can to minimise disruption during these essential works.
"The Severn Trent delay means we have no option to extend the Coseley Road works in order to complete the new road junction.
"We are mindful of the impact on businesses and residents in the area and can assure them once the construction contractors have again taken over from the utilities companies on site they will be working as speedily as possible to get the job done."
