Wolverhampton hotel owner's fury at late-night Midland Metro work
A hotel owner in Wolverhampton has hit out at the current Metro works, saying it is damaging his business.
Jas Singh, owner of Premier Lodge Aparthotel in Pipers Row, said the current work outside of his hotel made it ‘difficult’ to attract customers.
He said: “While this work goes on we need to be compensated.
“We were told no work was going to take place in the evenings.
WATCH: Midland Metro work causing complaints
“It’s just a bit difficult at the minute – especially if you’re in the accommodation business.
"If you're in retail, you can just put up a shutter."
Mr Singh said he has had cancellations since the extension work started in March.
He added: “We’ve had four cancellations. What are you supposed to say?
“When they started in March they were further down the road, but because they are now outside our hotel it’s constant banging, drilling and you can hear a pin drop if you’re asleep at night.
“If there’s a truck or machinery working right outside your property you would find it very difficult to sleep.
“They are digging right outside at the entrance, why can’t they do that during the day time?"
Mr Singh stressed he was not against the project in general, but is frustrated at the impact it is having on his business.
"We'll have to grin and bear it until August," he said.
A spokesperson for Midland Metro Alliance said: “Unfortunately there are some aspects of our work that cannot be done during the day when the existing Metro is in operation.
“We are working at night in part to ensure that pedestrian access is opened across Pipers Row to the bus station as soon as possible and in order to reduce noise we have installed acoustic barriers.
"We realise that it is a difficult time, particularly for high street retailers.
"For the duration of our works we will continue to maintain access to all businesses and have provided support to advertise the area is open for business whilst the works take place, including newspaper, magazine and tram screen advertising, as well as running a number of targeted social media campaigns.
"In addition, we are working in partnership with the WMCA, Wolverhampton BID and the City of Wolverhampton Council to identify any additional opportunities for further support.
"However, if businesses would like to contact us with their concerns we would be happy to speak to them further.”
