Motorists facing delays on Stafford Street
Motorists looking to travel in and out of the city centre are facing heavy congestion and long tailbacks as work continues along a main road.
Work is taking place on Stafford Street in both directions from 9.30am to 3.30pm daily. The works are due to continue until January next year.
The aim of the works is to install a pedestrian crossing along the busy street.
Cones have been put in place along one lane in both directions, with motorists having to drive in the bus lane to negotiate the works.
Diggers and other machinery can be seen at work along the road, which leads directly into the city centre.
A reduced speed limit is in place for the duration of the works.
A spokesman for Wolverhampton Council said: "This is a scheme to install a pedestrian crossing with works being done outside of peak times.
"We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact on drivers including increasing the level of green light signals to try and ease the flow of traffic.
"We apologise for any inconvenience experienced by drivers and would like to reassure them the work is being done in order to improve pedestrian safety."
The roadworks are the latest in a series of works taking place around the city centre, with works along the A41 Bilston Road continuing as part of the Midland Metro extension.
Councillor Wendy Thompson, leader of the Conservative party in the city council said: “This is absolutely terrible.
“Is this a stealth move by the council to try and pedestrianise the whole of the city and make it impossible for drivers to get through?
“It just makes matters worse for people that have to travel in and out of the city centre every day.”
Earlier this month, further roadworks continued on another gateway road into the city, the A449 Stafford Road.
Works along this route are taking place at the road’s junction with the M54 and Springfield Lane.
This phase will run until Christmas 2017 and will involve lane restrictions on both sides of the carriageway from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
According to the council, the work will mean the loss of a significant number of mature trees.
To compensate for this, Wolverhampton council is asking for residents and businesses to help identify suitable alternative locations for new landscaping and tree planting in the local area.
The roadworks form part of a £6.4 million city gateway scheme aimed at supporting job generation and business growth.
The scheme provides access to major employment sites, including the i54.
