Barriers come down as final stage of Wolverhampton city centre transformation project begins

Major sections of barriers have come down in Wolverhampton in time for Christmas and New Year as city centre transformation works enter the final leg.

The works have seen Victoria Street turned into a pedestrianised zone

Wolverhampton Council said it had listened to traders’ concerns and reduced the barriers to only small areas of Victoria Street, making pedestrian access to businesses easier.

Contractors Eurovia, who are carrying out the £15.7million city centre improvement works on behalf of the council, will pause activity over the festive period and will return to Victoria Street in early January, to complete the works by February, subject to weather conditions.

Works are also nearing completion on North Street, with the road now reopened to traffic from the Civic Centre Car Park exit to Darlington Street, while Exchange Street and Cheapside have also returned to use and will temporarily run in a one-way direction from Queen Square to North Street.

Final works will take place during January and February with the rest of North Street then set to reopen to traffic.

The works had seen the road closed for long periods to change the road system around the Civic Hall

The works, funded from the Government’s Future High Street Fund, are designed to support businesses by better connecting the west of the city centre, improving the public environment, and creating events spaces, such as a new public square where Victoria Street meets Skinner Street and Bell Street.

Extensive improvement works include granite and sandstone paving, kerbs, drainage and lighting, tree planting, street furniture, new taxi, loading and disabled bays.

The carriageway on North Street has been moved closer to the Civic Centre, creating a wider, safer area for gathering crowds in front of the new-look The Halls Wolverhampton entertainment venue.

The changes will also include a new designated cycle route through North Street, linking to new and improved cycling facilities on the ring road.

Works progress in Victoria Street with the majority of barriers now gone to help pedestrian access to businesses

A new carriageway link between Paternoster Row and North Street is also being constructed to help traffic flow around the halls.

Cabinet Member for city environment and climate change, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “The team has done a tremendous job to progress works to this stage and enable us to reopen large areas over the festive period and beyond to support businesses.

“We can look forward to the final push and completion of these transformational works early in the New Year, delivering long-term benefits for businesses, residents and visitors to our city centre.

“We appreciate that while the works have been taking place it has been challenging for many businesses and I’m pleased to say that the first five businesses who have shown evidence of a loss due to the works have received an initial support payment.

"The assessment process is continuing with other businesses in the city centre works area.

Works progress in North Street shows part of the road now fully accessible

“Ultimately, we want people to enjoy our city centre from the moment they arrive.

"The public realm improvements will create fantastic public spaces where people will want to spend time, spend money in local shops or enjoy new city centre events.

"It will be much more attractive and inviting, which will help to drive more footfall on this side of the city centre.”