PICTURES: Wolverhampton's Queen Square closed for six weeks

Work has started on replacing a gas main in Wolverhampton's Queen Square, with major disruption expected.

The Square is closed for six weeks, and Victoria Street is also affected, as National Grid Gas carries out the essential work. Queen Street will be closed to traffic in both directions between Exchange Street to the junction of North Street, Victoria Street and Darlington Street. Traffic will be able to exit Dudley Street via Lichfield Street.

Drivers will be unable to travel south down Victoria Street between Queen Square and Bell Street. Darlington Street will be closed to east from Red Lion Street to North Street.

Bus stops on Lichfield Street, Victoria Street and Darlington Street will be out of use during the works. The taxi rank on Victoria Street will be unaffected. Disabled parking bays on Exchange Street will be out of action during the works.

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Business owners and traders in the city previously expressed shock and alarm that the Square will be closed for so long, fearing it could could seriously damage trade.

Shaun Sculley, manager of Slater's bar, also located on Queen Square, said: "I think it will affect trade to be honest, especially at the weekends where we usually get taxis dropping off and picking up passengers. Hopefully it won't affect the people walking to get to us for an after-work drink, but it will impact us at weekends."

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Ruby Camp, owner of Teddy's hair design, Queen Square, said: "We moved out of our old premises on Queen Street because of the disruption caused by pedestrianising the road adjacent to the street. Now we find that the same, if not more, disruption is going to happen.

"This is the main route in and out of town for everyone. We have a lot of elderly and disabled customers who rely on the taxis being able to pull up right outside our doors. Now that won't happen, so I do think it will have an effect on business.

"Why can't the council do this work once the new Wulfrun Centre is done? Haven't we got enough going on at the moment? Businesses are failing as it is and there's already hardly any reason to come into the city centre as it is."