More roadworks looming for Wolverhampton city centre
Drivers in Wolverhampton city centre are braced for yet more roadworks - with roads to be closed off as part of a seven-month scheme
The major scheme to replace 1.5km of gas pipes will start next month, with road closures, temporary traffic lights and diversion routes to be put in place.
It comes on top of the work to extend the Midland Metro which has seen Pipers Row closed to traffic since March.
Work will begin on August 6 and is due to take 30 weeks to complete.
The project is part of Cadent’s £65 million investment in new gas pipes for the West Midlands but is set to cause misery for motorists and businesses.
It also looks set to create havoc for bus routes.
Which roads are affected and when?
The job will be carried out in seven phases, with the initial work to close Salop Street, between School Street and Worcester Street, and Cleveland Street - where the new city centre market has just opened - between Worcester Street and Cleveland Passage and Victoria Street, between Bell Street and Worcester Street.
From October, work will then switch to Worcester Street, with various side streets to be closed until next March.
Why is the work being done?
Cadent said work was starting in the summer as it is when roads are normally quieter and to ensure.
The firm also said there would be a 'pause' during the build-up to Christmas.
Engineers will replace the existing ageing iron mains in Worcester Street with tough new plastic pipes, the diameter of a car tyre. These will last for at least 80 years once they are in the ground.
Steve Murray, who heads up Cadent’s gas mains replacement project in the West Midlands, said: “This project is a significant investment to make sure that local people and businesses in Wolverhampton continue to enjoy safe and reliable gas supplies this winter and for many decades to come.
"It is part of an ongoing programme to update Wolverhampton’s gas network.
“We appreciate that this is a busy route. We've planned the project so that the work starts during the summer school holidays when there is less traffic on the roads. However, we would still advise motorists to leave extra time for their journeys, particularly at morning and evening peak times.
“Local shops and businesses will remain open as usual. We very much appreciate people’s patience and understanding during our work.”
Cadent bosses say they have planned the work with council highways teams to make sure it is delivered with as little disruption as possible.
