Jam-bust trials for town bus terminus

Wednesbury bus station has been give a key role in a congestion-busting trial to improve the flow of traffic around the Black Country town over the next three months.

Buses enter the station via Holyhead Road and exit onto Dudley Street. Under the old system, buses used to enter and exit from both Holyhead Road and Dudley Road, which caused tailbacks on surrounding roads in the town centre.

It is hoped that the new system will also make it easier and safer for pedestrians to walk around the station as the flow of buses has been restricted.

Transport chiefs at Centro are introducing the temporary system in a bid to curb congestion and im-prove traffic flow in Holyhead Road.

Wednesbury North ward's Councillor Bill Archer welcomed the changes and hoped they would become a permanent feature.

"Both roads around the bus station can get extremely congested especially during the rush hour"I know from personal experience that driving past the station just how busy it can be and of course if you are stuck on a bus then it will have an impact on the timetable for people."

Centro's Babs Coombes said: "We are holding the trial to see if we can improve the flow of traffic on the Holyhead Road and Dudley Road and also for passengers using the station. We want to see what impact the changes will have and we are monitoring the situation."

The £2.2 million bus station triggered the start of the regeneration masterplan for the town back in 2004.

It was heralded as one of the most modern transport hubs in the Black Country, boasting 11 enclosed stands, CCTV, electronic passenger information signs, toilets and art features.