A41 Bilston Road closed: How Wolverhampton Midland Metro work affects you

Workers in Wolverhampton were today making their first commute since major maintenance works closed a key road into the city and a stretch of the Midland Metro tram line.

The 'essential' work to replace tram tracks and resurface the A41 Bilston Road means drivers and tram users heading into Wolverhampton from the south-east of the city are facing six months of disruption.

The work, which has led to cones, signs and diversions being put up on the A41 and at affected tram stops, began on June 11 and is due to be completed by Christmas.

The tram line - which runs along the main carriageway - is closed from Priestfield to Wolverhampton city centre, while motorists travelling towards the city are being diverted past the mile-long work on Bilston Road.

Drivers can still leave Wolverhampton using the A41 but diversions have been put in place for those looking to travel into the city with drivers having to travel along the A463 Black Country Route to the A4123 Birmingham New Road instead.

With Wolverhampton St George's and The Royal tram stops completely out of action, people travelling to work in Wolverhampton by Midland Metro are being forced to leave the tram at The Crescent and take a replacement bus into the city centre.

For people heading towards Birmingham, the tram is running as normal from Priestfield to Grand Central and the Priestfield park and ride car park is still available, however replacement bus connections are not available between Wolverhampton city centre and Priestfield.

Tram tickets are also being accepted on regular National Express 79 buses, but not on trains.

The Midland Metro Alliance is carrying out the work on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which owns the Metro, and claims the changes will lead to a 'much improved environment for both tram and road users'.

Around a mile of double tram track is being replaced between Priestfield and The Royal, continuing work which saw the tracks between The Royal and St George's replaced in 2014 and 2015.

As well as removing the tracks, cutting and removing rails and breaking out the concrete, workers will improve the drainage before installing the new tram track and concrete and finally resurfacing the road. Trams are due to be back up and running as normal by Christmas this year.

Alejandro Moreno, Midland Metro Alliance Director, acknowledged the work will cause disruption but said the changes are 'essential for the continued running of trams' as the tram line has not been changed since it was originally built in 1999.

"The Midland Metro Alliance has kept stakeholders informed of the works, and will be continuing to provide updates for the duration of the project,” he added.

Businesses, shops, cafes and restaurants along Bilston Road are still open and pedestrian access is still available.

However the work has angered many business owners, some of whom spoke of their frustration when details of the scheme were revealed in May.

Abi Hatipoglu summed up the mood at a packed community meeting when he said he was ‘scared’ about the future of his cafe opposite Halfords and GSF Car Parts.

“I’ve had the business for 10 years," the Coffee Express owner said.

"I’m scared for my business because it relies on passing trade otherwise we cannot survive. I’m going to lose customers.

“No one is going to add to their journey to come to my cafe for a bacon butty or a sandwich – they’ll go somewhere that’s easier to get to. It’ll take me a month to get my customers back after the six-month roadworks are complete.”

A Midland Metro Alliance spokesman said 3,500 leaflets and letters had been delivered in the area in an effort to engage with residents and businesses, however some traders are so concerned for their livelihoods that they are considering taking legal action.

Work is already under way on a new £15 million Metro line along Pipers Row and Railway Drive, linking the Wolverhampton St George's stop with the city's railway station.

Tram stops are planned for either side of Pipers Row, near Castle Street, and Centro bosses say the line could eventually be extended further towards New Cross Hospital.

• St George's and The Royal stops in Wolverhampton are completely closed. Priestfield is open for people travelling towards Birmingham only.

• The 79E replacement bus is running between Wolverhampton city centre and The Crescent Midland Metro stop. Replacement buses are not available to and from Priestfield.

• Monday to Friday the bus is available every five minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening. On Saturdays it will run every 10 minutes in the day and every 15 minutes in the evening. On Sundays it will be on offer every 15 minutes.

• The bus is running between The Crescent and Stand R at Wolverhampton Bus Station - not the city centre tram stop at nearby St George's - via Stow Heath Lane, Willenhall Road and Horseley Fields.

• Midland Metro tickets are also being accepted on regular National Express 79 bus services, but not trains between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

• The Priestfield park and ride car park is still open.

• The A41 Bilston Road is closed for motorists heading into Wolverhampton and diversions are in place. The road is open for people driving out of the city.

• Shops, businesses and cafes on Bilston Road remain open and pedestrians can still walk along the road.

• An interactive map of the area affected by the engineering work, and details on the progress can be seen here.