£5m roads shake-up for Wolverhampton city centre

Work will take place over two years and is set to begin next summer as Wolverhampton City Council chiefs attempt to bring in tens of millions of pounds of investment from developers.

The council believes it can attract new shops, high quality offices and 1,300 homes by pumping money into improving the look of the city centre and the flow of traffic.

Under the plans, the biggest change would take place in Princess Street, which would become pedestrianised from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Outside of these times traffic would be restricted to one way, southbound. Lichfield Street and Queen Square, currently used by buses and taxis, would become one way, as would Victoria Street.

The taxi rank, in Victoria Street, would be extended by three spaces. Under the plans disabled people would be allowed to park for free on council-run car parks to make up for the loss of spaces on the street. There would also be resurfacing work and more seating. Queen Square will be widened to allow it to be used for outdoor events.

Exchange Street, which runs between the Natwest bank and Costa Coffee, would also be pedestrianised with parking spaces removed.

Lich Gates, by Barclay's Bank, will be used only for funerals and church business with general car access removed.

Parking spaces in Bilston Street would be scrapped.

Passengers trying to get to and from the Midland Metro stop will be able to cross Bilston Street more easily because the sequence of the traffic lights will be changed so that they are red in all directions for a time.

Bell Street would become one way and traffic trying to get in and out of the Mander Centre would be able to do so from Cleveland Street, as the tunnel into Bell Street becomes two way.

The Mander and Wulfrun Centres have been consulted and are said to be in agreement with the plans. A consultation into the revamp will start in November and run until the end of January.