Inquiry amid disruption fears on £15m bid to extend Midland Metro line
Multi-million pound plans to extend the Midland Metro will be brought before a public inquiry - amid objections from businesses concerned about disruption. more
Car park company NCP is objecting and will give evidence at a public inquiry into the extension along Piper's Row next month.
It is objecting because of disruption to its 160-space open air car park in the road, behind the Express & Star building, as well as what it calls the 'associated detriment of the city centre' and claims it will lead to traffic congestion.
The £15 million project will link up the Metro with Wolverhampton rail station - although it will mean fewer trams going to the current St George's terminus in Bilston Street.
New tracks will be laid at the junction of Bilston Street and Piper's Row, close to Wolverhampton Crown Court.
wo new stops will be provided by the bus and rail stations as part of the project. The existing 23-stop route is also being extended in Birmingham from the current Snow Hill terminus to New Street station.
In evidence to the inquiry James McKechnie, of NCP's experts Hydrock Consultants, said: "What is certain is that access from traffic via a southern routeing along Pipers Row will have a significant impact on NCP's operation, due for example to the distance between the Ring Road and the entrance to NCP's car park.
"The proposed Metro extension works will impact upon traffic routing in the city centre."
The Wulfrun Hotel, on the junction with Queen Street has also written to the inquiry with concerns.
Owner Jas Singh said in his letter: "We are planning to extend the hotel. Planning permission has been granted. We need to be compensated over our parking."
Other businesses had initially objected but have now withdrawn their objections. They included West Coast Trains, London Midland and Network Rail.
The inquiry will allow members of the public to have their say on proposals drawn up by Centro and Wolverhampton City Council.
The extension is due to open in 2018.
It comes after plans were submitted to Wolverhampton City Council to tear down sections of the Grade II listed Old Steam Mill in Corn Hill, Horseley Fields, in preparation for the work.
The proposals include the demolition of a 1950s steel extension at the back of the building, while parts of the main building, including the west wing wall will be torn down if deemed necessary.
Planning inspector Stephen Roscoe will open the inquiry at 10am on June 9 at the Wulfrun Suite in the Novotel Hotel.
It is expected to sit Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10am to 5pm and Fridays from 9.30am to mid-afternoon.
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