Closure signs go up as work begins to improve area around Wolverhampton city centre road

The section of road on Darlington Street between Chapel Ash Island and Red Lion Street was closed to traffic on Monday morning as the first part of the £19 million scheme to transform Wolverhampton city centre got underway.

The works are expected to last for around six months, subject to weather conditions, and will involve excavation and installation of new paving on north and south footways. 

A temporary road closure will be in place along lower Darlington Street with a clearly signed diversion route in place at the Waterloo Road/School Street junction, but pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained at all times during business hours.

A spokesman for Wolverhampton Council said: "Businesses in Darlington Street will remain open as usual throughout the duration of city centre improvement works which get underway today (January 20). 

"The first works between the Chapel Ash Island and Red Lion Street junctions are expected to last for around six months, subject to weather conditions. 

"They will involve excavation and installation of new paving on north and south footways. 

"A temporary road closure will be in place along lower Darlington Street with a clearly signed vehicular diversion route in place. 

"To get from the Chapel Ash Island to the Waterloo Rd/School St junction on Darlington St please follow Ring Road St Andrews and Waterloo Rd and vice versa.

"Pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained at all times during business hours. 

"The two bus stops within the road closure will be suspended and people will be signposted to alternative stops on Waterloo Road, School Street and the upper part of Darlington Street.

"It is part of a major transformation scheme that will also include works on Queen Square and Lichfield Street later in the programme."

The latest updates on the scheme can be found at investwolverhampton.com/citycentreworks