Jump threat man sparks Wolverhampton traffic chaos

Commuters were hit by delays on several main routes into Wolverhampton city centre today as police diverted traffic away from a suicidal man threatening to jump from the top of the new bus station.

The man thought to be aged in his 40s climbed to the top of the concrete stairwell at the new city bus station at about 6.30am.

He was eventually talked down by police just before 11am.

See footage of police negotiating with the man by clicking above.

Wolverhampton gridlock in pictures

Police had blocked off both carriageways of Ring Road St David's between the Bilston island and the Chubb factory, leaving motorists approaching from both north and south to grapple congested routes through the city centre.

Motorists reported delays on Stafford Street, Birmingham Road and Wednesfield Road. Congestion stretched back along the A449 towards the M54.

Construction workers arriving to continue work on the £22.5 million replacement bus station spotted the man and called the police. They initially sat waiting at the site but by 8.45am many of them had been sent home for the day.

Three West Midlands Police officers spent much of the morning speaking to the black-clad man as he sat clinging to a steel girder. Specialist police negotiators headed to the scene at around 9.30am.

The man, who was wearing a hat, was sitting at the top of the stairwell which overlooks the northbound carriageway. Officers were also forced to close the southbound route to stop drivers slowing down to view the drama.

Some motorists reported journeys which usually take around 10 minutes taking as long as 45 minutes.

There have been ongoing delays at Ring Road St David's, which has been down to one lane for several months to create a new access route to the under-construction bus station.

People affected by the traffic disruption posted comments on Twitter this morning.

Nathan Warrilow said: "An hour after leaving home I'm still not out of Wolverhampton."

Natasha Carlish wrote: "Traffic on A449 into Wolverhampton atrocious!"

"Wolverhampton ring road is a car park," tweeted Stuart Marsh.