Calls for a public inquiry into the handling of work on Wolverhampton’s £22.5million bus station have been turned down.

Wolverhampton City Council received a demand for an inquiry with 240 signatures.

Councillors sided with highways officers who said they had made every effort to consult with traders and involve them.

None of the petitioners turned up to the meeting yesterday because they said they could not leave their shops on a Friday.

Every last vestige of the former bus station has now been removed.

Pipers Row House, once home to a Spar shop and trade union office, has also been turned into a pile of rubble with materials that will be used in the foundations for the new 19-stand station.

Businesses in Queen Street claimed they had seen passing trade plummet because of rerouted bus services, which were diverted from Pipers Row in May to allow building work to start on the site.

The petition demanded an inquiry into the organisation behind the project, claiming traders were not adequately consulted.

Head of transportation David Orton said: “We are very enthusiastic about meeting people and hearing their views and we did so with the Queen Street traders.”