Esso garage plan boost

Petrol giant Esso which suddenly shut a busy garage in Wolverhampton  wants to resurrect it – almost three years later.

Bosses have applied for planning permission to reopen Newbridge Service Station, which has been a blot on Tettenhall Road since it closed in 2005.

The redevelopment would include a new retail building, forecourt canopy and pumps, car parking and two cash machines.

Esso previously revived plans for the site in 2006, when it was revealed it hoped to create a petrol station and a Tesco Express there. 

But the proposals were shelved and it has remained an eyesore ever since.

The news is likely to be welcomed by motorists in the city, where a string of petrol stations have shut in recent years and the sites sold off for housing.

Liberal Democrat councillor Robin Lawrence, who represents Park ward, said the reinstatement of the petrol station would be welcomed.

“Certainly for the people living near the very busy Shell petrol station further up Tettenhall Road it would be a good idea because it would alleviate some of the business there. 

“The popularity of the garage has caused them a lot of problems with noise throughout the night so on that basis it would be sensible to reinstate the one at Newbridge.”

Five people lost their jobs when Newbridge Service Station closed in July 2005, along with another in Coalway Road, Penn.

At the time it was suggested a developer had bought the land at Newbridge and intended to build flats there but plans never materialised.

At least three other former petrol stations in Wolverhampton are currently being replaced with housing.