PICTURED: Bilston Road ripped up as new Midland Metro tracks installed

But this is how Bilston Road looks as work to replacement of hundreds of metres of tram tracks continues.

The A41 is being torn up in stages and the old Midland Metro tracks ripped out.

New track slabs and sleepers are then being put in place before the road is then resurfaced.

Photographs taken by the Express & Star reveal the extent of the work currently being carried out near the Charles Clark Toyota garage.

Antony Lowbridge-Ellis, spokesman for Midland Metro Alliance, has confirmed the programme of work is on schedule and “excellent progress continues to be made.”

The work is due to be completed by Christmas.

He added: “The Midland Metro Alliance continues to provide updates on the works on its website – metroalliance.co.uk – through Facebook and Twitter channels, and with regular face-to-face contact to keep residents, retailers and travellers up-to-date.”

Under usual circumstances floods of cars and lorries would use the road to get into the city centre and to head out towards the rest of the Black Country.

But the amount of traffic on the road has been greatly reduced since June when the work between stops at Priestfield and Wolverhampton St. George’s began.

The road is closed to traffic heading into the city while cars heading away are required to weave their way through cones and concrete bollards.

And Midland Metro users have been forced to depart at Priestfield before catching a replacement bus service from The Crescent to the city’s bus station.

Businesses operating in Bilston Road have complained about the impact the work is having on their trade. In May this year, Abi Hatipoglu – owner of Coffee Express on Bilston Road – said he was scared about the future of his cafe. Since then, the business owner has reported an 80 per cent drop in trade.

The complaints from traders prompted Pat McFadden, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West, to try and help and he has met with Metro chief Alejandro Moreno to discuss how the alliance could be able to assist.

Mr 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 and secure money for the affected traders.

Work has also begun to extend the Metro line from Bilston Street along Pipers Row and Railway Drive.

In Bilston Street the work has caused significant delays.