Pipers Row to close for Metro extension work
A main road in Wolverhampton city centre will close in a push to complete the tram extension works.
Pipers Row will close on Sunday in both directions between Bilston Street and Castle Street.
It comes as part of a final push to complete the tram line extension for the West Midlands Metro.
The road will be shut during half-term and until November 3 – allowing for the final road surface to be applied to the stretch.
Buses using the bus station will be re-routed and exit from the station onto the A4150 Ring Road St David's, before commencing their routes.
The dates have been chosen to coincide with a period where bus usage in the city is "traditionally" lighter than at other times of the year.
Final work will then shift to the sections between Railway Drive and Castle Street for one week, before the project wraps up on November 10.
Pipers Row is expected to be completed – with traffic management and barriers removed and new paving and kerbing put in place.
Benches will be installed at the West Midlands Metro stop along with stands.
Transport bosses at the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) say the move will help give the street a "refreshed look and feel" in time for the festive period.
Bus users have been urged to visit the Network West Midlands website for more details on how their service may be affected by the changes.
Drivers will be able to complete their journeys during the works by following diversion routes.
Motorists heading into the city centre from the Bilston Street island will now need to head around the city's library and onto Market Street, where the bus gate has been suspended.
Access for pedestrians will be maintained at all times, with traffic marshals put in place during the works to assist with traffic flow – along with helping businesses with their deliveries.
The work is part of the extension of the Midland Metro tram line to connect the current end of the line at Wolverhampton St George's to the railway station.
It all forms part of a multi-million pound project to boost transport links in the city.
