Bilston Road tram work: MP Pat McFadden makes it his mission to compensate traders
Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden has made it his mission to fight for compensation for business owners impacted by major tram line works along the A41 Bilston Road.
Mr McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, met Metro chief Alejandro Moreno, on Friday to discuss how the Alliance could be able to help traders along the route.
The road is currently closed to traffic entering Wolverhampton, though it is open as an exit route. Works to replace the tram lines began last month and is due to continue until Christmas.
Traders and business owners along the road have previously spoken out about the impact of the works on profits.
In May this year, Abi Hatipoglu, owner of Coffee Express on Bilston Road, said he was ‘scared’ about the future of his cafe.
He said: “I’ve had the business for 10 years. I’m scared for my business because it relies on passing trade otherwise we cannot survive. I’m going to lose customers.
“No one is going to add to their journey to come to my cafe for a bacon butty or a sandwich – they’ll go somewhere that’s easier to get to. It’ll take me a month to get my customers back after the six-month roadworks are complete.”
Since he first spoke, the business owner has reported a 80 per cent drop in trade.
In July this year, Abi said: "It is absolutely devastating. One morning I had just two customers ordering tea and coffee in comparison to usual where I have dozens.
"I’m losing business because understandably the customers don’t want all the hassle of driving around the diversions just to get a sandwich.”
Now Mr McFadden hopes to get the traders compensation or secure a hardship fund to make up for their loss of work.
He said: "Traders have told me they have experienced a severe impact on footfall and profits since the work began.
"Business owners understand that the work is necessary and is a vital part of the infrastructure of Wolverhampton.
"However, as these works are set to continue for six months, I feel it is important that the traders are supported by either compensation or by the creation of a hardship fund."
A spokesman for the Midland Metro Alliance confirmed that "UK parliamentary legislation governs much of the rules regarding construction and operation of a tramway in the UK, including compensation during initial construction of a tram network. The West Midlands's equivalent is the Midland Metro Act 1989.
"This act does not award compensation during a maintenance project, which the work on Bilson Road is.
"The creation of a hardship fund would be the decision of the West Midlands Combined Authority."
The spokesman continued: "The Midland Metro Alliance continues to work with retailers along the Bilston Road to support them via marketing opportunities, publicity and additional signage. For example, we are running regular advertisements in local magazines, including the Wolverhampton Magazine."
MP McFadden has also written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Wolverhampton Council and the office of West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor, Andy Street, to try to secure money for the affected traders.
