Bilston Road traders told they will not get compensation from Wolverhampton council
Traders whose businesses have been heavily disrupted by major roadworks on a busy route will not be compensated by a council.
Council bosses in Wolverhampton have insisted it is up to the West Midlands Combined Authority to support traders on the Bilston Road, who say custom has plummeted since the start of work to replace the metro line.
They have instead put pressure on Mayor Andy Street to ensure businesses disrupted by work which has seen the road shut heading into the city receive compensation.
But traders have accused Wolverhampton council of 'passing the buck' as they appealed for support during a heated meeting.
Business owners held placards aloft at they sat in the public gallery during a meeting of the full council on Wednesday night stating they had been 'let down'.
Four businesses have closed in recent months, with traders insisting the roadworks are to blame. They called for council leaders to act before more close.
The authority passed an amended motion calling on the mayor and combined authority to 're-visit' the decision not to set up a hardship fund for affected businesses.
Councillor Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for resources, said the council could not step in as it would set a precedent for all future roadworks schemes.
He said: "The City of Wolverhampton Council is very concerned by the effect on businesses of the metro works.
"We have called on the mayor to provide hardship for some businesses.
"It is not Wolverhampton council carrying out the works but the Midland Metro Alliance which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
"Any request for hardship needs to go to the West Midlands Combined Authority."
He added: "We have to be consistent and reasonable. Any works by a third party such as Severn Trent or an electrical company we have to compensate and with budgetary constraints we could not afford to do this."
Opposition Conservative councillor Paul Singh insisted that response was not good enough.
He said: "We have found funds for bonfires and buses, £28,000 for signs around the city but we can't find funds to keep these people in business?
"We want to create new businesses but we can't help existing ones. Can that be right?"
Following the meeting, Amarjit Singh, who runs Nationwide Electrical and Security Wholesalers, said traders were desperate for help, wherever it comes from.
He said: "All we want is for someone to stand up. We don't care who they are talking to, whether it is Andy Street or the Prime Minister.
"All we know is our businesses are in trouble and we need a hardship fund from whoever can be bothered."
He added: "Everyone knows what we are going through and they are passing the buck. If they did care truly they would help us."
