'It’s just never ending' - Wolverhampton traders' anger at Midland Metro line roadworks

Business owners in Queen Street say trading is down by as much as 40 per cent because of the disruption caused by work to extend the Midland Metro tram line.

The project began in March and is due to be completed by summer, although an exact date has not been given.

The scheme come weeks after the end of disruption along the A41 Bilston Road during work to replace tram tracks.

Dawn Southall-Anderson, who runs Flowers in the City on Queen Street, has called for help for the businesses that are suffering.

She said: “We have been through a lot of upheaval in this street. I think they should do something for the companies that are suffering.

“We’re getting a few people in but not like normal. We’re about 40 per cent down.

“I have had a couple of people that have rang and said they don’t know how to get here because of the road closures.”

Jas Singh, who owns the Premier store and the Premier Lodge hotel on the street said: “Our sales are probably down by 30 percent. It’s just a nightmare - and that’s an understatement.”

Mr Singh, 47, has been trading in Queen Street for 16 years. He recently completed a refurbishment of the hotel above his shop.

“We have invested a hell of a lot of money in the building, hoping it’s going to improve things. Sometimes you think ‘Is it really worth it?’”, he said.

“I lost one business previously when they redeveloped the bus station - we lost 80 per cent of our trade when the buses were parking elsewhere.”

He added: “I’m going lose another business.”

Paul Beresford, who has owned The Pet Shop in Queen Street for three years, said: “We are not as down as much as I expected but we are definitely down - probably about 15 to 20 per cent.

“A lot of our customers are people walking up and down to the bus station.”

Mr Beresford also questioned whether the project represented value for money. He said: “I’m not sure it’s going to bring that much benefit to people for the amount of money involved.”

Once completed, the city’s bus and train station - at a distance of 0.2 miles - will be connected via a Metro line.

George Gordon, who owns T.Z. Enterprises, added: “It’s a nuisance. Over the last three years or so roadworks have just been non-stop.

“It’s just never ending. We’ve had meetings with the Council before but nothing has ever been done (to help).”

Faye Raybould, from Faulkner & Johnson, said the lack of buses passing through had affected trade.

“We have noticed quite a big difference in the amount of people going past,” she said.

“A lot of our customers get on the bus and they can see the shop is open.

She added: “Compared to this time last year, we’re about 40 per cent down.”

Paul Brown, Midland Metro’s project director for the Wolverhampton City Centre expansion, said: “We appreciate nobody likes the disruption that constructing a tram extension brings, but we are working hard to ensure the works are completed as quickly as possible.

“We are continually engaging with businesses along the tram route and are also working closely with CWC and the Wolverhampton BID to advertise that it is business as usual in the city.”