Metro line work payouts - but not for A41 Bilston Road traders
Traders who were affected by months of roadworks on a major Wolverhampton road will not receive any compensation, transport bosses have confirmed.
Business owners on the A41 Bilston Road saw their trade slump while workers spent around six months replacing West Midlands Metro tram tracks in 2017.
Transport bosses have since revealed details of support for businesses affected by major schemes – but Bilston Road was not included.
Instead, the funding approved by the West Midlands Combined Authority will only benefit businesses affected by schemes to lay new track, and not maintenance work.
Voluntary scheme
Alistair Harris, spokesman for Transport for West Midlands, said: “Transport for West Midlands has introduced a voluntary scheme to offer a financial support package to traders whose businesses front onto roads where new tram line extensions are being or will be built.
“The tram line through Bilston Road was built between 1995 and 1999, and work undertaken there in 2017 was maintenance to ensure the track remains in safe and operable condition.
“Maintenance works do not trigger financial support under the terms of the business support scheme.
“Businesses in Bilston Road were offered advice on how to access existing support schemes during this maintenance work. The Midlands Metro Alliance, which carried out the work, also supported traders by providing additional signage, banners and tailored social media marketing plans.”
Shame
Matt Goodhead, sales executive of Midland Stairparts on Bilston Road, said it was a “shame” businesses wouldn’t receive any money.
The 30-year-old, who has been at the business for around 15 years, said: “It’s definitely a shame because we did notice a decline in trade for everybody.
“As a community, we were all talking and people went to the Red Lion pub to discuss it.
“We never went, but we offered our car park to the cafes because no one could park outside.
“It’s a shame they are not willing to reimburse everybody.”
Other businesses approached by the Express & Star said they preferred not to comment at this stage due to conversations they were having with Wolverhampton Council.
The project means the firms in Pipers Row, which will reopen this summer, and businesses along the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill line will benefit. It will apply to businesses who have frontages directly affected by construction.
