Express & Star

Express & Star Comment: Tram work will make bad Wolverhampton roads worse

We have got huge concerns about plans released today for the extension of the Midland Metro in Wolverhampton.

Published

The new £15 million line will run along Pipers Row and Railway Drive to link the St George's stop with the train station.

The route should set alarm bells ringing for anyone who has had the misfortune to travel around that area of the city in recent times.

  • Midland Metro extension to bring year-long chaos to Wolverhampton roads

  • POLL: Wolverhampton tram extension - what do you think?

Pipers Row has become a complete nightmare for motorists since the pedestrianisation of Princess Street last year.

It is regularly gridlocked with buses and coaches pulling in, while cars queue to get onto the car park.

Drivers - already hamstrung by a newly implemented system that bars them from travelling down towards the station - have become accustomed to being stationary behind the traffic lights.

It is a road network that plainly doesn't work. And it is about to get worse.

The thought of the Metro travelling down this route is frankly quite laughable.

Furthermore our confidence in the project is not exactly improved by comments from Wolverhampton council's urban traffic control manager Bob Willis.

He tells us that the utility works part of the scheme, which is due to start in May, 'will have a life of its own'.

It is a remark that has, quite frankly, knocked us for six.

The Midland Metro already has a shocking record for completing work on time. We have already suffered as a result of the 2014 scheme to lengthen the platform at St Georges and install a new crossover track at The Royal.

That job dragged on for four months longer than planned after former mine workings were found under the road.

The disruption caused to drivers, commuters and businesses in the city was immense.

We also have to question why the Pipers Row Metro extension in necessary. We estimate the distance from the St George's stop to the station to be no more than 300 metres.

Is it really worth it when you consider the sheer level of upheaval and huge cost to the taxpayer?

We are yet to be convinced over the necessity of this work.

The council has promised to keep the city moving, but we think there is a genuine likelihood of it grinding to a complete halt.

We have been promised a minimum of a year's worth of disruption - but don't bank on the misery ending there.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.