Major disruption for hundreds of Wolverhampton commuters as 'critical' repairs carried out
Hundreds of bus passengers will soon have to take alternative routes into the city centre as works to repair a gas main close off major roads.
A total of 13 bus routes will be affected by the series of road closures in the city centre next month as National Grid carry out 'critical' gas main repairs.
The change in bus routes will affect hundreds of commuters who are used to travelling in and out of the city centre, on National Express services 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 10, 62, 62a, 126, 255 and the 256.
All of the bus stops on Lichfield Street, Victoria Street and Darlington Street will be out of use during the works, which are due to start on June 6 and scheduled to last a total of six weeks.
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The nearest stops for services 1, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 10, 62 and 62a will be located on Stafford Street, and the nearest stops for services 2, 126, 255 and 256 will be the main bus station.
In a statement, Wolverhampton council confirmed that the work is being done by National Grid so as to 'replace a critical gas main'.
It is anticipated that the amendments to the bus routes may cause delays for those travelling into the city centre for work, and impact on their further travel around the city
As part of the work, Queen Square will be closed to traffic in both directions between Exchange Street to the junction of North Street, Victoria Street and Darlington Street. Diversions will be set up for traffic to exit Dudley Street via Lichfield Street.
Traffic will also be unable to travel in a southern direction down Victoria Street between Queen Square and Bell Street. Darlington Street will also be closed in an eastern direction from Red Lion Street to North Street.
In addition to the changes of the bus routes, disabled parking bays will also be affected by the closures. The disabled parking bays on Exchange Street will be out of action during the works, though alternative disabled parking nearby will remain operational on the Lich Gates, with access from Lichfield Street, and on Cheapside, with access from North Street.
Businesses that operate on Queen Square have already expressed their concerns over the plans, which they feel will affect the elderly and the vulnerable most acutely.
Ruby Camp of Teddy's Hair Design said: "A lot of our customers are elderly or disabled and they rely on the buses to bring them up here, or even taxis to bring them straight to the door.
"The works will just stop a lot of people from coming up into town if they think it's too much hassle or if they're worried about where they're going to be dropped off."
The news comes as National Express revealed it planned to update existing bus routes in the city only last week (WEDS). High levels of congestion were cited as the primary reason for the proposed changes, however the new alterations will do little to reassure customers that the problem is being dealt with.
Last month, National Express reported a strong start to the financial year, achieving an overall revenue of 11 per cent up on the previous year. Passenger numbers were also up 3 per cent on last year.
The company, who employ around 3,700 bus drivers in the West Midlands region are yet to comment on how the changes to the routes will impact them.
The works follow hot on the heels of the pedestrianising of Princess Street, which began last year and was completed in early 2016.
