Wolverhampton Midland Metro work puts Bilston Road trade down 80 per cent
Businesses have reported up to an 80 per cent drop in trade since work to replace Midland Metro tracks began on the A41.
MP for Wolverhampton South East Pat McFadden met with traders along the A41 Bilston Road to discuss the impact of the track replacement works.
He said: “The business owners and traders understand that this work is necessary but they have reported very steep falls in trade.”
The MP is now appealing to the council and Midland Metro bosses to help the traders make up for the loss in profits.
He continued: “The traders have now asked me to approach the local authority and the Midland Metro Alliance to see if there can be a hardship or compensation fund set up for affected businesses to combat this adverse effect.”
Tweeting about the issue following the meeting, Mr McFadden said: “I just met with businesses on Bilston Road affected by current metro line works. They report drops in trade of 40-80 per cent.”
Work along the A41 Bilston Road began on June 11 and saw access to the road in the direction towards the city diverted while around a mile of double tram track is replaced.
So far the track and road surface on one side of the tramway has been removed in preparation for new concrete and tracks being installed.
People can still leave the city using the road, but signs heading into the city advise people to take a diversion route – travelling along the A463 Black Country Route to the A4123 Birmingham New Road instead.
Traders have previously hit out at what they claim are ‘misleading signs’ that encourage drivers to avoid the area altogether, meaning they are not getting passing trade.
Trader Abi Hatipoglu of Coffee Express said: “It is absolutely devastating. One morning I had just two customers ordering tea and coffee in comparison to usual where I have dozens.
"I’m losing business because understandably the customers don’t want all the hassle of driving around the diversions just to get a sandwich.”
A spokesman for the Midland Metro Alliance said: “The majority of businesses along the Bilston Road have been working closely with the Midland Metro Alliance to advertise that they are still open for business and we have been supporting them by providing additional signage, banners and tailored social media marketing plans, along with advising them of how they are able to investigate reducing their business rates.”
The work is expected to be completed in time for Christmas.
