Further misery for Wolverhampton roads as Midland Metro work extends
Traffic chaos caused by work on the £15 million Midland Metro extension and upgrading of the existing track is to escalate as a new phase starts this week.
From Friday, Wolverhampton’s Eagle Street will close at its junction with Bilston Road until Christmas.
Access to Bilston Road from Sutherland Avenue will also be cordoned off round-the-clock until October 3.
Traffic diversions have been in place since June, including along Bilston Street, one of the main routes into the city centre, and Pipers Row, leading to the bus and train stations.
The line is currently closed between the A41 Bilston Road stop Priestfield and Wolverhampton St Georges for tram track maintenance, which traders say has left them fearing for their livelihoods.
Sutherland Avenue is home to Monmore Green dog track, while Eagle Street, beside Dunelm, features a range of stores including Carpetright, Harvey’s furniture shop and the Mitre retail park.
The latest works are listed on Wolverhampton Council’s website as expected to have a ‘high impact’ on motorists. As well as replacing the tram track, the road will also be resurfaced. It is anticipated the tram line will be re-opened by Christmas.
From Friday, until December 23, the only access to Eagle Street will be via Steelhouse Lane only. To get on to Bilston Road from Sutherland Street, motorists are advised to follow a diversion along Hickman Avenue, Cullwick Street and Stowheath Lane.
Alejandro Moreno, Midland Metro Alliance director, has acknowledged that the works have caused ‘unwelcome disruption’ since starting in June but says they are ‘essential’ for the continued running of the trams.
The tram track has been in place since the line was opened in 1997 and was showing signs of wear.
In 2014-15, the track between The Royal and Wolverhampton St George’s was renewed. The latest work involves the stretch between Priestfield and The Royal.
Hundreds of metres of existing track are being torn up as part of the improvement, including the extension. Once complete the line will run from Bilston Street along Pipers Row and Railway Drive.
The work is being carried out by the Midland Metro Alliance, responsible for building a number of new tram extensions across the region over the coming decade on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
In Pipers Row work has already taken place to relocate and protect underground gas, water and electric supply pipes and cables.
Wolverhampton St Georges and The Royal tram stops both closed in June, leaving people who normally travel into the city by tram to alight at The Crescent and take a replacement bus.
On October 4, Cable Street will close at its junction with Bilston Road.
